The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data indicates, the country’s textile and clothing exports grew by 14.4 percent to $1.272 billion in July 2020 as compared to $1.112 billion in corresponding month of previous year. This massive increase in textile exports helped in increasing country’s overall exports to $2 billion in the month of July. The exports of knitwear increased by 20.42 percent in July while bedwear exports increased by 25.3 percent. Exports of ready-made garments also surged 18.04 percent while those of cotton cloth grew by 1.15 percent. Exports of tents, canvas and tarpaulin increased 155 percent and those of art, silk and synthetic exports increased by 14.01 percent.

However, exports of raw cotton decreased by 100 percent and exports of cotton yarn by 37.88 percent in the month of July. Exports of yarn had also declined by 47.53 percent. On the other side, Pakistan’s imports declined by 0.7 per cent to $3.69 billion in July. Oil import bill slashed by 24.94 percent due to the slowdown in economic activities. Total oil imports amounted to $752 million during July 2020 compared to $1.002 billion during the same period last year. The breakup of $752 million showed that import of petroleum products was recorded at $387 million, petroleum crude at $203 million and liquefied natural gas at $128 million and liquefied petroleum gas at $33 million.