DNA

SIALKOT, OCT 3 –  Fazal Jilani, chairman Airsial International Airline Saturday said Pakistan’s furniture industry has a big potential to dominate global markets with innovative designs and can significantly contribute to exports; however, it direly needs a package of incentives and facilitation for boosting exports.

Talking to media men at Dustoor Event Complex Sialkot on the 2nd day of 3-day mega 12th Interiors Pakistan organized by Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC), he said unfortunately, the furniture sector remained badly neglected; it needs special attention of the federal and provincial governments for the training of woodworkers on modern lines. PFC Chief Mian Kashif Ashfaq was also present.

He said there is an urgent need to explore the international market for boosting our exports as there is a lot of potential in Pakistani products, adding he said the value of furniture export was very nominal but the beginning had been made, and with aggressive marketing strategy the value of exports could be doubled in a short span. He said if the government extends its support to furniture companies, the volume of export could touch the figure of $ 5 billion for the next five years.

Chairman Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PLGMEA) Hassan Ali Bhatti on this occasion said this is the first time a high level furniture exhibition is held here in Sialkot and he hoped that such exhibitions in cities like Sialkot would help producing world class furniture besides giving impetus to exports of the country.

He said the leather industry is also associated with furniture and he assured the furniture producers that they would provide them the world class leather being used in furniture making.

He urged the businessmen to work extensively to promote local industry in Pakistan. “Pakistan is blessed with abundant resources and our people are equipped with the best of skills that can help develop the country on modern lines,” he added.

He also lauded the amazing work of younger designers and architects displaying in the exhibition along with other national and international leading furniture manufacturing companies.

On this occasion, PFC Chief Mian Kashif Ashfaq said the PFC was committed to supporting Pakistan’s young entrepreneurs associated with the furniture and interior designing sector whose innovative thinking had the potential to unlock great economic prosperity.

He said such exhibitions provide the younger designers and architects to assess market trends and display their own work alongside that of more established professionals.

 He said Interior’s Pakistan was a step towards initiating international trade exhibitions and also to enhance possibility to participate in international exhibitions as a collaborative industry from Pakistan.

Mian Kashif has expressed the hope that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the furniture sector would prosper.

He said that the business community had pinned high hopes on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government, adding that Imran Khan’s government was committed to providing all facilities to businessmen to enhance the volume of exports.