Fabric exports to Pak, Egypt dip due to unrest.

SURAT: For the first time, the export of man made fabric (MMF) textiles, including fabrics to Pakistan, has taken a hit and declined by 16 per cent due to continued political and civil crisis along with unresolved trade issues between India and Pakistan.

Exports to Egypt, too, have declined by more than 23 per cent due to the political crisis there. As compared to $219 million worth of export in 2012-13, India exported $167 million worth of MMF textiles in 2013-14 to Egypt.

The export of MMF fabric otherwise has witnessed a phenomenal 25 per cent growth at $2.35 billion compared to the previous year on the back of an increased demand from markets like UAE, US, Turkey, Brazil, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and U.K.

Chairman of Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry (FIASWI) Arun Jariwala said, "It is very disheartening to know that the export to Pakistan, especially from Surat, has declined by 16 per cent. Around 60 per cent of the fabric bound to Pakistan is exported from Surat and Mumbai."

The data released by Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) says the MMF textile export to Pakistan has decreased from $162 million in 2012-13 to $145 million in 2013-14. This is despite the fact that the entrepreneurs from both the countries have been trying hard to increase bilateral trade in textiles for the last several years.

However, the total export of MMF textile that includes fabric as well as yarn etc. from India has witnessed a 14 per cent growth at $6 billion in 2013-14 compared to $5.24 billion in 2012-13.

Export of polyester filament fabrics, mainly manufactured in Surat, Maharashtra and South India, dominated with a share of 36 per cent. The major items of exports in this segment were saris, shirting, suiting, narrow woven fabrics, tyre cord fabrics, parachute fabrics and umbrella cloth.

Export of fabric like synthetic filament and polyester viscose have registered a significant growth of 63 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com