ISLAMABAD: Country earned US$ 219.584 million by exporting leather manufactured goods during the first five months of current financial year as compared the exports of US$ 214.889 million of corresponding period last year. Leather exports from the country during the period from July-November, 2017-18 witnessed an increase of 2.18 percent as compared the exports of same period last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, about 2,348 thousand dozens of leather gloves worth US$ 85.455 million exported as compared the exports of 75.209 million of same period last year, showing an increase of 13.62 percent. However, in last five months, the exports of leather garments from the country remain on down track as it was recorded at US$ 129.382 million as against US$ 134.117 million of same period last year. Meanwhile, country earned US$ 39.57 million by exporting about 3,540 thousand dozens of footwear, which was recorded at 3,716 thousand dozens valuing US$ 38.254 million showing an increase of 2.10 percent, it added. From July-November, exports of leather footwear grew by 6.44 percent as about 2,435 thousand dozens of leather footwear worth of US$ 43.842 million exported as compared 2,045 thousand dozens valuing US$ 32.734 million of same period last year, the data revealed. During the period under review, 19,000 pairs of canvas footwear valuing US$ 86,000 exported as against the exports of 35,000 pairs valuing US$ 19,000 of same period last year, it added. It is worth mentioning here that leather manufactures exports on month on month basis also grew by 0.75 percent as country gained US$ 44.247 million as compared the exports of US$ 43.917 million of same period last year. Published in Daily Times, January 9th 2017.