ISLAMABAD, June 15 (APP): Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastigir Khan Wednesday said the country’s textile exports had witnessed negative growth of 7.72 per cent during the first ten months of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of last year.
Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Muhammad Atteeq
Shaikh, he said the textile exports during July-April (2015-16) were recorded at $10.395 billion compared to $11.265 billion during
July-April (2014-15), according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of
Statistics (PBS).
He said the textile products that contributed in negative growth of
textile trade, included cotton yarn, exports of which dropped by 32 per
cent from $1.590 billion last year to $1.081 billion during the current fiscal year.
He said the government had taken various measures for increasing
cotton production and subsequent exports. The quality of cotton seeds
would be enhanced. The government had also shifted its focus to give priority to value addition of cotton products.
He said the cotton production had decreased this year due to absence
of timely rains. The country had exported cotton this year due to dearth in the production.
The cotton clothes export, he said, had increased by 4 per cent,
however, decline was reported in value of cotton products.
The quantity of cotton exports had increased by 10 per cent but its
value had decreased, he added.
Muhammad Atteeq Shaikh, in his calling attention notice, said
textile sector was in trouble and urged the government to rectify the situation.
