EDITOR’S PAGE
2020-21 was a remarkable year for Pakistan’s textile industry In 2019-20, exports were recorded at $21.387 billion as compared to $22.958 billion of 2018-19, showing a decline of 6.84 per cent in the previous year. At the end of the fiscal year, 2020-21 (July 2020-June 2021) exports have exceeded all expectations making a record of US$15.4 billion.
Established 1951 July 2021
Italian Review
The industrial sector has witnessed a remarkable turnaround due to the good policies by the government in the form of industrial support packages, relief to export-oriented industries, electricity and gas subsidies for the export-oriented industries. There has been a remarkable growth in the value-added textiles between 2019-20 and 2020-21 period; where Knitwear has witnessed the highest growth of 69% in terms of the quantity exported and an increase in value by 36.57% for a total of US$ 2.8 billion. It must be noted that the unit price of Knitwear decreased by 19% reflecting on the high demand for low-value knitwear, particularly T-shirts in the international markets, mainly the US and Europe. Interestingly, ready-made garments while being the second export category with US$ 2.5 billion exports witnessed a 22 per cent decline in quantity and an increase in exported value of 18.83%. This translates into an increase in the unit value of an incredible 54% over 201920. This can be attributed to the shortage in the international markets during the pandemic which Pakistan has captured.
July 2021.
Textile Exports 2016-21 US$ Billions
2016-17 2017-18
12.45 13.53 13.33
2018-19 2019-20
2020-21
12.53
15.4
In addition, home textile exports grew both in terms of quantity and value by 13% and 28.87% consecutively showing an increase of 13% increase in the unit value. This increase in bed-wear exports comes at a time where work from home practices have been adopted, suggesting an increase in demand along with supply being relatively less. Furthermore, cotton cloth has witnessed a 48 per cent decrease in the quantity being exported while its export value increased by 4.98%. What is remarkable here is an increase of per-unit price by 150%. Lastly, Artificial silk and synthetic textile is a focal point of the exports in textiles as it has garnered a 67% fall in total quantity exported while increasing by 17.68% in terms of value while achieving a 268% growth in per unit (Sqm) value, this has increased the collective value of its exports this year from the previous and could be due to the influence of a surge in demand for PPE kits all across the world. Textile exports have risen from US$ 12.5 billion to US$15.4 billion and it can be attributed to the policies adopted by the government to secure workforce in the textile industries, giving a competitive advantage over other countries that have been forced to lay off workers in this industry. The challenge for all stakeholders is to retain this momentum and to have a continued and sustainable growth with a focus on meeting the changing demand of global consumers.
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