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Exports from NWFP on increase

PESHAWAR: Despite infrequent slumps in country's export business and other technical hurdles like locational disadvantage, the annual sale of the NWFP from overseas marketing is on ascending trend from the last few years.

The annual statement of the export performance of the NWFP from the last four years reveals that 'export in NWFP is increasing'.

According to the statement, which has been prepared by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the annual earning of the NWFP from 47 items in 1995-96 was $23,662,778. The amount rose to $37,487,957 in 1996-97 and in 1997-98 the annual income reach to $66,118,603. In 1998-99 the exports stands at $81,996,992.

The most exported item of the NWFP in the last four years was carpet and rugs, the sale of which was not only distinctive in the list of exported items, but also rose annually.

In 1995-96, NWFP exporters earned foreign exchange through export of carpets at the tune of $10,935,091. In 1996-97, it jumped to $22,227,273 and continued on jacking up to $38,848,984 and $45,453,270 in 1997-98 and 1998-99, respectively.

After carpets and rugs, precious and semi-precious stones showed a good sale of $19,067,894. The break-up of which is $10,935,091 in 1995-96, $22,227,273 in 1996-97, $38,848,984 in 1997-98 and $45,453,270 in 1998-99.

The least exported items from the NWFP were ball points and tents whose total earning during the last four years was only $249 each.

The export of leather and its products also showing good results and its total earning of the last four years stands at $5,460,457.

Plants and seeds were also exported during the financial year 1997-98 and 1998-99, and the Province earned dollars at the tune of 98 and 5,846, respectively.

The export sale of food stuff/bubble gums which was recorded at $1,255,907 showed a decline in the coming two years at a annual sale of $479,546 (1996-97) and $326,366 in (1997-98). However, in 1998-99 it rose to $1,764,998.

Vegetables were also once exported from NWFP in 1995-96 for an amount of $498. APP