Pakistan witnessed export growth of $333.18 million (15.76 percent) to 28-member European countries- European Union (EU) under the autonomous trade preferences on 75 products in the first four months from January to April 2014. The sector wise break up of exports revealed textile remained the major beneficiary of the GSP plus arrangement.

While, export proceeds in absolute terms under Generalised System of Preference (GSP) plus status to 28-member European countries-EU of the 75 products has reached $2446.52 million in January to April 2014 period of 2013 from $2113.34 million over the corresponding period of last year.

Pakistan’s exports of textiles to EU increased to $1.74 billion during the first four month (January-April) in 2014 from to $1.44 billion during the same period in 2013. An increase of $300 million in textile product exports to EU was witnessed.

Textile garments exports to EU increased to $822.77 million during January-April 2014 from $663.36 million in the same period in 2013. Thus textile garments sector registered an increase of $159.41 million in four months.

Pakistan’s exports of home textile products to EU amounted to $542.82 million during the same period in 2014 registering an increase of $114.27 million.

Exports of intermediary products of textiles like yarn and fabric of all types to EU touched $360.57 million during the period January-April 2014 in comparison to $334.13 million achieved in the same period in 2013. Hence Pakistan’s exports of intermediary goods of textiles to EU have increased by $326.44 million in four months.

Pakistan’s exports of carpets to EU amounted to $15.47 million during January-April 2014, an increase by $759,333 as against $14.71 in 2013 during the same period.

Pakistan’s exports of leather to EU increased from $185.47 million during January-April 2013 to $199.38 million during the same period in 2014. While, intermediary goods of leather amounted to $48.78 million during January-April 2013. During January-April 2014 it increased to $53.95 million. Hence there has been increase in export of intermediary goods of leather to EU amounting to $5.17 million in four months.

But the Pakistani footwear exports growth to EU was only $37.49 million in 2014 from $32.37 million during January to April 2013.

Polyethylene Terephathalate (PET) exports to EU during January-April 2013 was recorded $5.85 million which has increased by $7.79 million during the four months’ time in 2014 amounting to $13.75 million.