950828

Exports rise as EPB

intensifies trade

far participation

MUZAFFAR QURESHI

KARACHI: As a result of Export Promotion Bureau's increased participation in trade exhibitions and arranging single country trade shows to diversify exports to the new markets. African countries have emerged as the biggest receiver (54 percent) of exports from Pakistan.

This was stated by the Director General of EPB, Haseenuddin Ahmed, at a press briefing held at the EPB's head office on Monday.

The second largest increase in exports, 34 percent, was recorded with the United States followed by exports to Asian countries 29 percent, Eastern Europe 22 percent and South America 21 percent.

As a result of EPB's focused attention and efforts to develop export of non-traditional items and to shift dependence on cotton related exports which are vulnerable to natural calamities, the export of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, jewellery, pens and pencils etc witnessed a big jump. During July-June 1994-95, export of non-traditional items rose by 28 percent and were around $900 million. Haseenuddin observed that the $1.335 billion rise in exports, is a record increase in a single year of the $8 billion exports, the biggest contributor to phenomenal growth was the non-traditional sector.

During 1994-95, the cumulative increase in the value of exports was of $1.335 billion consisted of increases in 12 sectors in both quantity and value, and these accounted for 85 percent of the increase in earnings.

The non-textile products, such as rice, leather, carpets, sports goods, surgical goods and non-traditional items accounted for 47 percnet of the increase in the value of exports. Of the $1.335 billion increase in exports, $622 million was contributed by the non-textile sector.

In 1994 the total value of quota exports increased in value terms by 17 percent, but the total quota utilization declined to 89 percent from 97 percent in 1993.

The EPB Director General said that the overall growth of 19.6 percent in exports was achieved despite the fact that the cotton crop, the backbone of our export's had failed for the third successive years.

Heavy rains and floods had spoilt our fruit and vegetable crops last year. Political unrest continued to hamper industrial production in Karachi, while carpet experts were subjected to the Child Labour propaganda and our surgical goods came under US quality restrictions, overfishing and pollution had depleted our stock of fish also, he said.

Replying to questions, Haseenuddin Ahmed said that the issue of anti-dumping duty on yarn by Japan has been taken up at the highest level and it is hoped that the issue would be resolved. The EPB has previously tackled such issue successfully.

To tackle the problem of child labour, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to introduce a Rug Mark System under which all carpet consignments will be accompanied by a certificate that their manufacturing was free of child labour. The EPB is sending delegations to other carpet manufacturing countries to study the Rug Mark system there.