ISLAMABAD: 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.
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