Pakistan’s textile exports increased 2.3 per cent during the first two months of the current fiscal year. Knitwear exports increased both in quantity and value by 10.7 per cent and 12.8 per cent respectively. Readymade garment exports increased both in quantity and value by 34.6 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively. Bed wear exports increased both in quantity and in value by 20.4 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively. The country’s textile exports constitute more than 60 per cent of total exports. Knitwear exports comprise 14.4 per cent of total exports. Readymade garment exports have a share of 12.5 per cent in exports. Bedwear has a 10.7 per cent share in exports.

The industry wants levies on cotton imports removed so that textile exports can go up. Exports fell one per cent during the last fiscal year as a strong negative price effect dominated the positive quantity effect. Exports, however, recovered 2.79 per cent in the July to August period of fiscal 2020.

The textile industry has asked for subsidised gas and electricity rates and tax breaks. Exporters are unclear about the actual energy tariffs for the purpose of quoting prices of products. A special energy package was extended early this year to the erstwhile zero-rated industry to provide it a competitive energy tariff to expand and increase exports.