ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Pakistan`s export of traditional products increased by 25 per cent in the first four months of the current fiscal year over last year, mainly driven by leather, sports and engineering goods.

In absolute terms, export proceeds from traditional products reached $3.65 billion during July-October as against $2.92 billion over the corresponding period last year, suggests data of the Commerce Ministry issued on Thursday.

The government projected an export target of $10 billion from traditional products this year. A constant depreciation of rupee, along with demand for Pakistan`s traditional products in the international market, also triggered prospects of increase in exports in the current fiscal year.

The product-wise details show that export of carpets increased marginally by 0.41 per cent during the first four months of the year.

In the past few years, export of carpets remained stagnated following stiff competition from China, Afghanistan in the international market.

However, export of carpets, rugs and mats witnessed a negative growth last year, both in value and quantity.

Export of carpets, mostly handmade, faced stiff competition from synthetic one in the international market.

As a result, the government is expecting that export from carpet may hardly touch $132.7 million for the whole year as against $132.425 million last year, showing an increase of $275 million.

Export of sports goods recorded an increase of 7.13pc during July-October period this year over last year.

Ofthese,exportoffootbaHs was up by 13.53 pc, while gloves rose by 15.93 pc during the period.

The target for export of sports good was projected at $338.7 million for 2011-12 as against $323.037 million over the same period last year, showing an increase of 4.84 per cent.

Sports goods are losing market access, especially for Pakistani footballs in the international market.

Export of footwear products increased by 11.45 per cent during the four months this year over the last year.

Of these, export of leather footwear increased by 49.24pc.

But export of canvas footwear declined by 6.38pc and 54.72pc in other footwears.

Exports of surgical goods and medicinal instruments increased by 20.75 per cent in July-Oct period this year over last year.

An export target of $247.1 million was set for surgical goods in 2011-12 as against $259.752 million over the last year, showing a decline of 4.87 per cent.

But last year export of surgical goods and medical instruments went up by 13.33 per cent to $259.752 million in 2010-11 as against $229.201 million over the previous year.Export of engineering goods increased by 59.74 per cent in July-Oct period this year over last year. For engineering goods, the government had set $676.6 million exports target as against $254.942 million in the previous year, showing an increase of 165 per cent.

Export of leather products plunged 0.96pc during the period under review. Of these,exports of leather garments fell 5.30 per cent. However, leather gloves exports went up by 18.20pc.

The government has projected an export target of $572.7 million for leather value-added products in 2011-12 as against $540.450 million exports goods exported last year, showing an increase of 5.96 per cent.