Textile quota exports registered over 20 percent increase in value and over six percent in quantity during the first eight months (January-August) of the current quota year. According to the provisional figures of exports up to August 21, released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), highest value increase of 28.4 percent was recorded in exports to the European Union (EU) followed by the US: 13.1 percent; Turkey: 2.59 percent; and Canada: 2.66 percent.

In terms of quantity, the highest increase of 10.2 percent was in exports to the EU followed by the US: 6.5 percent.

Quota exports to Turkey and Canada declined by 21 percent and 12.3 percent respectively.

The total quota exports made to all the four quota countries during the period under review were 2,545.3 million square meters (Sme) with a total value of 2,106.6 million dollars as against 2,394 million sme worth 1,750 million dollars last year.

The country-wise break-up of exports revealed that the US received 561.3 million sme worth 865.3 million dollars; EU: 1,789.9 million sme worth 1,144 million dollars; Canada: 20.6 million sme worth 30.9 million dollars; and Turkey: 173.3 million sme worth 66.1 million dollars.

The average unit price of Pakistani quota exports increased by 29.9 percent for Turkey; 17.1 percent for Canada; 16.5 percent for the EU; and 6.2 percent for the US.

The adjusted level of quota ceiling during the first eight months of the year was 1,321.3 million sme for the US; EU: 3,488 million sme; Canada: 70.2 million sme; and Turkey: 448.17 million sme.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2004