Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) expressing concern over the extremely low number of stalls of Pakistan in international exhibitions like “Domotex” held in Germany said that the government institutions should formulate advance strategies to make full use of such global exhibitions and if this trend continues, we will lose major markets, which will have a negative impact on exports.
These views were expressed by Senior Vice Chairman (PCMEA) Usman Ashraf, participating in the world exhibition held in Germany via a video link with Carpet Training Institute chairperson EjazurRehman, senior central leader Abdul Latif Malik, senior members Riaz Ahmed, Saeed Khan and others.
The business leader said that despite the heavy expenses, the purpose of participating in the exhibition is to ensure the representation of Pakistan in international events like “Domotex”.
He said that due to the availability of support at the government level, the manufacturers and exporters of Pakistan’s traditional rival country got 165 stalls while we had only 5 stalls.
“In the current economic circumstances, when we are in desperate need of foreign exchange, we cannot afford to ignore such global events of extraordinary popularity so it is our suggestion that the government should increase the rate of financial support and facilities to increase the number of exporters in the world exhibitions held in different regions,” he added.
Usman Ashraf said that foreign buyers showed keen interest in Pakistan’s handmade carpets due to their quality and ornate designs and there have been foreign deals too, if the number of stalls in Pakistan were more, surely the foreign exchange could have been brought to the country many times more than this.
He said that a comprehensive report on repatriation will be prepared and send to the relevant institutions so that a strategy can be devised for the future by reviewing the problems and difficulties at the government level.—INP
