Garment Exports Up 20% In July

Exports of ready-made garments to countries with quota restrictions increased 15.41 per cent in quantity terms and 19.9 per cent in value terms in July 2002 compared to July 2001. Exports were valued at $379 million in July 2002 against $316.1 million in July 2001.

Garment exports in June 2002 had registered a 5.13 per cent decline in quantity terms and a 2.75 per cent drop in value terms.During the first seven months of 2002, exports of ready-made garments to quota countries were valued at $2.49 billion, 3.11 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year.

In quantity terms, exports in the first seven months of the current year were 714.5 million pieces, 7.31 per cent more than during January-July 2001.

Exports to the European Union increased 5.37 per cent to touch $1.20 billion in value terms during January-July 2002.

Exports to Spain increased 54.48 per cent in value terms. Exports to Portugal, Ireland, the UK, Denmark, France, Italy and Sweden also registered increases. In the case of exports to the US, the quantity went up 29 per cent at 239.9 million pieces. However, in value terms exports increased only 3.24 per cent at $1.16 billion.

Exports to Canada declined both in quantity and value terms.

While in quantity terms exports declined to 41.6 million pieces, down 5.88 per cent, in value it went down 16 per cent to $120.6 million.