LAHORE: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Manzoorul Haq Malik Saturday said the local furniture sector attached great importance to the national economy and could make a substantial contribution of billions of dollars export annually if the government patronises it.
He expressed these views during his visit to “9th Interiors Pakistan” exhibition held at the Expo Center here.
He appreciated the PFC for holding successful series of interiors Pakistan exhibitions in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and urged the government to establish greater liaison with the sector to fully understand market conditions and requirements of the industry needs.
He said the government should also provide more visible support to furniture business in terms of simple and easily obtainable grants for exhibiting and travelling to trade shows and promoting Pak export as a success globally.
He said if the government extended its support to furniture companies, the volume of export could touch the figure of $ 5 billion for the next five years.
He suggested that a programme for developing and promoting the furniture sector both in rural and urban areas could be feasible, and also stressed upon the urgent need for implementing modern techniques which will not only enhance productivity, develop skills of labourers but also meet requirements of local and global markets.
Meanwhile, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid during his visit praised the skills of Pakistani carpenters and woodworkers for producing world-class handmade furniture, which he added could generate more revenue and foreign exchange if it was exported. He said there was a vast scope for direct and indirect foreign investment in the sector as it possessed great potential.
FPCCI Regional Chairman Mian Rehman Aziz said no one could compete with Pakistan in handmade furniture, as its quality and designs attract buyers of all taste irrespective of geographical boundaries.
A delegation of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by its President Falahat Imran and Punjab University students from Institute of Communication Studies also visited stalls and evinced keen interest.
People came with families to look at home furnishings, while professionals arrived to look at innovations in office furniture.
The three-day expo which ends on Sunday gives an opportunity to people to compare and shop at the leisure.
Interiors Pakistan, one of a mega furniture exhibition in the country organised by Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) continued to attract as many as 60, 000 crowd on its second day hailing from all walks of life a singular platform to promote local furniture industry.
The crowd included massive numbers from Lahore such as corporations, academia, teachers and the general public which visited stalls and appreciated the local woodworks. The PFC is offering a 20 per cent value back advantage for customers at the expo.
