0.97pc negative growth in 4-month export earnings

The country's overall export earnings registered a 0.97 per cent negative growth during the July-October period of the current fiscal year compared to that of last fiscal.
The earnings stood at $9.65 billion during the July-October period which also fell short of the target by 7.58 per cent set for the period, according to the official data released Monday.
In the meantime, the single-month earnings in October 2014 witnessed a negative growth of 7.63 per cent at $1.95 billion. But the receipts surpassed the target by 19.78 per cent set for the month, it revealed.
The merchandise shipment from knit products stood at US$ 4.05 billion in during the period showing a 0.90 per cent growth. The earnings also fell short of the target by 2.39 per cent.
On the other hand, woven garments fetched $3.69 billion during the same period marking a 4.40 per cent negative growth.
Woven sector failed to achieve the target by 14.17 per cent.
Apparel manufacturers attributed the decline in garment exports to the ongoing compliance and workplace safety issues due to the Rana Plaza building collapse and recent political turmoil.
However, they expressed the hope that the trend would change in the coming months as they are getting good response from the foreign buyers in recent times.
Earnings from jute and jute goods stood at $260.70 million in July-October period, showing a 2.39 per cent negative growth. The earnings also fell short of the target by 0.80 per cent.
Frozen food exports recorded 7.92 per cent negative growth but surpassed the target by 5.97 per cent. Leather and leather products fetched $383.63 million but fell short of the target by 12.73 per cent.
Agricultural products and handicrafts exports witnessed 21.75 per cent and 5.67 per cent growth respectively in July-October period of the current fiscal.

munni_fe@yahoo.com