Exports to 9 regional countries jump 18pc

Exports to nine regional countries grew 17.71 per cent during the first half of the current fiscal year mainly driven by an increase in shipments to China.

The country’s exports to Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives rose to $2.233 billion in July-December FY24 from $1.897bn in the corresponding period last year, showed data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan.

In FY23, exports to regional countries dipped year-on-year by 21.1pc to $3.331bn.

Pakistan’s bulk of the regional exports, which accounts for 60pc, go to China while the rest to the remaining eight countries.

Exports to China increased 39.91pc to $1.481bn in July-December FY24 from $1.058bn over the corresponding months of last year. In FY23, the exports to China declined 27.3pc to $2.02 from $2.78bn in FY22. It was the first decrease in the post-Covid period.

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