Pakistan’s textile exports declined by over 9 per cent from July to January of the ongoing financial year. Exports were down 6.38 per cent in January 2016 compared to January 2015.

Textile exports are continuously declining due to external as well internal issues including high power tariff, electricity and gas shortage and delayed tax refunds of exporters. Another reason is the slowdown in the economy of China and other markets.

Due to the massive decline in textile exports, the country’s overall exports came down by 14.37 per cent during July to January of financial year 2016 compared to the corresponding period last year. Exports of petroleum and coal products decreased by 74.92 per cent, manufacturing products by 19.1 per cent and leather manufacturing by 13.36 per cent during July to January of the ongoing financial year.

Exports of readymade garments registered a growth of 3.77 per cent during July to January 2015-2016 over a year ago. Similarly exports of towels recorded a growth of 1.45 per cent. Meanwhile, exports of all other textile goods including raw cotton, cotton yarn, cotton cloth, cotton carded or combed, knitwear, bed wear, tents, canvas and tarpaulin, art and silk and synthetic textiles registered negative growth as compared to the same period last year.