Pakistan Exports increase by 26.5 per cent in February
'Pakistan Times' Business & Commerce Desk

ISLAMABAD: Exports from Pakistan during February, 2008 amounted to Rs.97,368 million as against Rs.92,085 million in January, 2008 and Rs.77,245 million during February, 2007 showing an increase of 5.74 per cent over January, 2008 and of 26.05 per cent over February, 2007.

In terms of US dollars the exports increased by 5.31 per cent in February, 2008 to $ 1,554,940 thousands when compared to $ 1,476,508 thousands in January, 2008. The exports grew by 22.25 per cent when compared to $ 1,271,896 thousands in February, 2007, said the provisional figures released by Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).

Exports during July-February (2007-2008) totalled Rs.716,095 million as against Rs.657,908 million during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 8.84 per cent.

In terms of US dollar the exports during July-February (2007-2008) totalled $ 11,703,236 thousands, as against $ 10,854,882 thousands during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 7.82 per cent.

Main commodities of exports during February, 2008 were Cotton cloth (Rs.8,719 million), Bedwear (Rs.8,336 million), Knitwear (Rs.8,165 million), Readymade garments (Rs.7,853 million), Rice others (Rs.5,642 million), Cotton yarn (Rs.5,632 million), Rice basmati (Rs.4,115 million), Petroleum products (excl Top Naphta) ( Rs.3,475 million), Towels (Rs.2,915 million) and Leather garments (Rs.2,900 million).

On the other hand, imports into Pakistan during February, 2008 amounted to Rs.229,133 million as against Rs.220,124 million in January, 2008 and Rs.156,220 million during February, 2007 showing an increase of 4.09 per cent and 46.67 per cent respectively.

In terms of US dollars the imports increased by 3.67 per cent in February, 2008 to $ 3,659,190 thousands as compared to $ 3,529,510 thousands in January, 2008. The imports grew by 42.25 per cent as compared $ 2,572,282 thousands of February, 2007.

Imports during July-February (2007-2008) totalled Rs.1,478,810 million as against Rs.1,200,014 million during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 23.23 per cent.

In terms of US dollars, the imports during July-February, 2007-2008 totalled $ 24,140,985 thousands as against $ 19,796,984 thousands during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of 21.94 per cent.

Main commodities of imports during February, 2008 were Petroleum crude (Rs.56,479 million), Petroleum products (Rs.27,728 million), Raw cotton (Rs.11,598 million), Wheat unmilled (Rs.9,628 million), Palm oil (Rs.7,843 million), Power generating machinery (Rs.7,297 million), Plastic materials (Rs.6,983 million) Iron & steel (Rs.6,450 million), Other Apparatus (Telecom) (Rs.5,117 million), and Mobile phone (Rs.4,158 million).

Based on the figures of imports and exports, the balance of trade in February, 2008 was (-)131,765 million in terms of Rupees and (-)2,104,250 thousands in US dollars.

The balance of trade figures cumulative from July-February, 2007-2008 were (-) 762,715 million in terms of Rupees and (-)12,437,749 thousand in US dollars.●