Furniture sector can play vital role in economy

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and  Vice President Manzoor ul Haq Malik Saturday said 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 properly patronizes it on priority for boosting export of Pak-handmade furniture.

He expressed these views here today during his visit to  “9th Interiors Pakistan” exhibition held at Expo center. He appreciated the PFC for holding successful series of interiors Pakistan exhibitions in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. He urged the government to establish greater liaison with this sector to fully understand the market conditions and requirements of the industry needs to protect, develop and promote.

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 currently, the textile sector was the country’s largest industry in terms of exports, exporting $14 billion worth of goods annually.

He said the second largest segment is rice, which generates $2 billion through exports, but Pakistan’s furniture exports stand at a meager $51 million. 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. 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 urgent need for implementing modern techniques which not only enhance productivity, develop skills of labourers and meet requirements of local and global markets.

Senior Vice President Lahore Chamber Khawaja Khawar Rashid during his visit praised the skills of the Pakistani carpenters and woodworkers for producing world best handmade furniture which he added could generate more revenue and foreign exchange if it is exported. He said there is a vast scope for direct and indirect foreign investment in this sector as it possess great potential which he observeds still needs to be fully exploited

Mian Rehman Aziz, former VP and Regional Chairman FPCCI Mian Rehman Aziz said no one can compete Pakistan in handmade furniture as its quality and designs attract the buyers of all taste irrespective of geographical boundaries. He said that he is regular visitor of this exhibition because different variety of furniture of all brands is available under the umbrella Pakistan Furniture Council.

A delegation of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by its President Falahat Imran and  Punjab University students  from Institute of Communication studies led by Senior Faculty Member Dr.Waqar Ch also visited the all stalls and evinced keen interest and lauded the efforts of PFC for arranging top class expo which they added must be held twice in a year.

Briefing the dignitaries and delegates, Mian Kashif Ashfaq said, “PFC has done a lot to promote interior designers and furniture manufacturers from all over Pakistan, both nationally and internationally. Through these exhibitions the Pakistan Furniture Council has laid the groundwork for furniture related commerce to move forward effectively and expand their market and in turn serve the economy of Pakistan. We are holding multiple exhibitions annually.

He further said with its previous experience, PFC remains one of the most distinctive channels for regional and international companies to penetrate the global market. It is renowned among international buyers for quality, value and wide selection of all types of furniture, he added.

“We are always striving for a higher degree of excellence. But the problem in furniture making is that it is so labor intensive. So our goal with this organization is to show people what we do and why our work is worth what it costs,” Kashif said.

He said the essence of these exhibitions is to promote the Pakistan-made furniture and associated products at local and international level.

People came with families to look at home furnishings, while professionals arrived to look at innovations in office furniture. Also available were home décor items and bedding. The three-day Expo, which ends on Sunday, gives an opportunity for people to compare and shop at the leisure.

Interiors Pakistan, one of a mega furniture exhibition in the country organized 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 general public which visited stalls and appreciated the local woodworks.