The UAE maintained its lead as Pakistan's largest export market in the Middle East with exports to Dubai alone touching $719.6 million for the year ended July 01 to June 02, official figures showed.

Total exports from Pakistan to the UAE were valued at $727.4 million. While Dubai is the main gateway in the region for Pakistani exports, Saudi Arabia and Turkey followed next.

"Dubai is not only the largest export market for Pakistan in the Middle East, it is also the fastest growing," a senior official of the Pakistani embassy told Gulf News.

Exports from Pakistan to the UAE has shown a steady growth in the last three years from $492.7 million to $625.9 million and now to $727.4 million.

Not only has Dubai accounted for a major share of Pakistan's exports to the UAE, it has accounted for some 50 per cent of Pakistan's exports to the Middle East. "Dubai will continue to hold its own as the export destination and a re-export base," said the official.

Pakistan's exports to Saudi Arabia during 2001-02 reached $330.4 million, up from $272.0 million the previous accounting year. However, exports to Turkey dipped slightly to $98.2 million from $100.5 million.

Figures relating to exports from the UAE to Pakistan were not available. Pakistan's principal export items include cotton and textiles, rice, leather and leather products, sports goods, surgical instruments, meat, fruits and vegetables. Cotton products include raw cotton, yarn, thread, bags, fabrics, hosiery and garments.

Interestingly, new non-traditional export items such as fish and fish products are becoming an important component of Pakistan's exports showing impressive growth in the last two years.

In the UAE, Pakistan's exports to Abu Dhabi during 2001-02 were valued at $2.2 million, down from $6.0 million the previous year. Exports to Sharjah have been on an even keel touching D$3.4 million, about the same as the previous year.

In Africa, Pakistan's largest export market is Kenya ($52.1 million), followed by Egypt ($38.7 million).