By Raza Khan ISLAMABAD, Nov 09 (INP-WealthPK): Trade volume between China and Pakistan increased by 68% during the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year 2021-22 compared to the same period of 2020-21. The volume of bilateral trade reached $5.728 billion during the quarter against $3.4 billion during the same period of last year, according to data released by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). Pakistan’s exports to China during July-September of current year were recorded at $678 million against $359 million during the corresponding period of last year, posting massive increase of 89%. Volume of imports from China during first quarter of 2021-22 was registered at $5.05 billion, an increase of 66% compared to imports of $3.041 billion during the same period of last year. According to TDAP’s monthly trade data, the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and China in September 2021 was recorded at $2.0381 billion. It shows a growth of 53% compared to $1.326 billion imports and exports in September 2020. Pakistan’s exported goods to China worth of $261.859 million in September 2021, posting a massive growth of 108% compared to exports in September 2020. Pakistan’s exports to China in September 2020 were recorded at $126.144 million. A surge of 47% was also recorded in imports from China in September this year, as the country made imports of $1.776 billion in the month against $1.2 billion in the same month last year. China remained Pakistan’s second largest destination for its exports during September 2021 and largest hub of imports during the same month as well as during the first quarter (July-September) of 2021-22. The TDAP report said that Pakistan’s imports from China registered an increase in the petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excluding crude), electric generating sets and rotary converters. According to TDAP, Pakistan’s overall exports have surged by 28% to $6.99 billion in the first quarter of 2021-22 against $5.4 billion in same period of last year. The growth comes amid a rebound in the global and regional economy, as countries are slowly opening up from the Covid-19-induced lockdown phase. Secondly, the Covid-19 situation in Pakistan has remained fairly under control, as compared to other countries in the region, which has allowed early resumption of economic activities in the country. Pakistan exported mainly textile and its products to major export destinations. Textile sector has shown positive growth of 27% in the period under review. Main commodities exported by Pakistan during July-September 2021-22 were knitwear ($1.18 billion), readymade garments ($861 million), bedwear ($803 million), rice ($423 million), cotton yarn ($289 million), chemical and pharma products ($362 million), towels ($241 million), made-up articles ($197 million) and textile material ($185 million). Imports into Pakistan during the first quarter of the current fiscal year amounted to $18.7 billion against $11.2 billion during the same period of last fiscal year showing an increase of 66%. One of the major reasons in the surge of import bill was the import of raw materials. Oil prices have also increased substantially in the international market, which pushed up import bill because of high demand for energy in the domestic market. Moreover, Pakistan also imported Covid-19 vaccines in bulk.