LAHORE, Pakistan: The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Manzoor-ul-Haq Malik on Wednesday said if the government extended its support to furniture companies, the volume of Pakistan’s furniture exports could touch the figure of $5 billion for the next five years.
Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) headed by its chief executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq in Lahore, Manzoor-ul-Haq said currently, the textile sector was the Country’s largest industry in terms of exports, exporting $14 billion worth of goods annually.
The FPCCI Region Chairman said the second largest segment was rice which generates $ 2 billion through exports but Pakistan’s furniture exports stand at a meager $51 million.
Manzoor-ul-Haq said local furniture sector attached great importance to national economy and could make a substantial contribution of billions of dollars export annually if government properly patronizes it on priority for boosting export of Pak-handmade furniture.
The FPCCI Vice President appreciated the PFC for holding successful series of interiors Pakistan exhibitions in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore.
Manzoor Malik urged the government to establish greater liaison with furniture sector to fully understand the market conditions and requirements of the industry needs for its protection, development and promotion. He said the government should also provide more visible support to furniture business in terms of simple and easily obtainable grants for exhibiting and traveling to trade shows and promoting Pak export as a success globally.
The FPCCI Regional Chairman suggested that a programme for developing and promoting the furniture sector both in rural and urban areas could be feasible, and also stressed the need for implementing modern techniques which not only enhance productivity, develop skills of labour and meet requirements of local and global markets.
