The country’s exports witnessed 10.58 percent increase during the first month of the ongoing fiscal year (2017-18), compared to the corresponding month of last year. Pakistan exported goods worth $1.631 billion in July 2017 compared to the exports of $1.475 billion in July 2016, showing upward growth of 10.58 percent, an official in ministry of commerce told APP on Saturday. The merchandise imports during the month under review also increased by 36.74 percent compared to July 2016. The imports into the country during July 2017 were recorded at $4.835 billion compared to the imports of $3.536 billion, the data revealed. He said the trade deficit during July 2017 was recorded at $3.204 billion, which showed growth of 55.46 percent when compared to the deficit of $2.061 billion during July 2016.
Meanwhile, on month-on-month basis, the exports from the country witnessed negative growth of 14.70 percent in July 2017 when compared to the exports of $1.912 billion in June 2017. The imports into the country increased by 6.64 percent in July 2017 when compared to the imports of $4.534 billion recorded during June 2017, according to the data. Replying to question, the official said the ministry was contributing to the national economy through trade facilitation and liberalization, improve export competitiveness and reduce the cost of doing business. The government is committed in providing direction and diversification to internal trade for enhancing supply chains to enhance the country’s exports. “We are working to explore new trade avenues and markets in different regions to get access to these markets for promotion of country’s trade,” he said. He said that new trade policy mainly targeted the international and internal trade for improving supply chain, enhancing use of technology and providing competitiveness.

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