ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce and Textile Muhammad Pervaiz Malik on Friday apprised the Senate that country’s textile sector export witnessed 12.44 per cent and 8.55 per cent increased in September and August respectively as compared to last year corresponding year owing to special package announced by the government.

Replying to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said the Prime Minister had announced package worth Rs 1 billion to the textile sector to enhance exports.

To another question, he said Pakistan’s exports stood at $ 20.448 billion against imports of $ 53.026 billion during fiscal year 2016-17.

Major export items were rice, madeup articles, leather manufactures, fish and fish preparation and fruits while major import items were petroleum products, power generating machinery, petroleum crude, road motor vehicles and electrical machinery & apparatus, he said.

To a question, the minister said a total 3182 industrial units were set up across the country. Giving the breakup, he said 501 units were set up in Faisalabad, one in Gilgit, 183 in Islamabad, 942 in Karachi, 1385 in Lahore, 111 in Multan, 119 in Peshawar, 9 in Quetta and 11 in Sukkur.

He said Pakistan has also signed three Free trade agreements with Sri Lanka, China and Malaysia.