ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Senate was apprised on Friday that Pakistan’s textile exports witnessed 12.44 percent and 8.55 percent increase in September and August 2017 respectively as compared to last year corresponding year.
Replying to various supplementary questions during Question Hour in the Upper House, the Minister for Commerce and Textile Muhammad Pervaiz Malik said the increase occurred owing to the Rs 1 billion special package announced by the prime minister for the textile sector to enhance exports.
To another question, the minister Pakistan’s exports stood at $20.448 billion against imports of $53.026 billion during fiscal year 2016-17.
The minister said major export items were rice, made-up 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.
To another question, the minister said a total 3182 industrial units were set up across the Country.
While giving the breakup, the minister told 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.
Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan also signed three Free trade agreements (FTAs) with Sri Lanka, China and Malaysia.
