Used clothes imports rise sharply

18 Nov '05

2 min read

Import of second-hand clothes from Europe, US, Japan, South Korea and Australia grew by about 15 percent to Rs 3.17 billion in 10 months this year as compared with almost Rs 2.37 billion in 2004.

Imports rose by nearly 25 percent due to exemption in sales tax and income tax in 2005. Coupled with inflation and rise in stitching charges, people from lower and lower-middle class prefer the use of second-hand clothes that grew by 35 percent to Rs 475 million in all four regions during this period.

Lunda Bazaar has recorded approximately 10 percent increase in the prices of all kinds of second-hand clothing, draperies, blankets, sundries and shoes. This increase, especially in blankets and pullovers, was also the result of winter and the supply of warm clothes to quake victims.

USA, Japan, UK and other European countries were the major centres from where the import of second-hand shirts, trousers, sweaters and pullovers was made. Blankets, carpets, rugs, shoes, overcoats, jackets and stuffed toys were imported from South Korea, Japan and China.

Nearly 50 percent warm clothing, including blankets, shawls and overcoats were used in the NWFP and northern tribal regions and Punjab used around 35 percent of the total imported material said Muhammad Usman Farooqui, secretary general of the Pakistan Second-hand Clothing Merchants Association (PSCMA).

PSCMA imported nearly 60 percent second-hand material from the USA, Canada, Australia and other European countries and the other 40 percent imports were made from South Korea (18 percent) Japan (10 percent) and the rest from and other countries, Mr Farooqui informed.

More Apparel/Garments News - Pakistan...