Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer Zubair Motiwala said on Wednesday that handmade carpets had a unique identity as a culture of Pakistan in the world and there was dire need to bring innovation in this sector to boost exports.
He was talking to the media after inaugurating the three-day 39th International Exhibition of Handmade Carpets organized by the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) at a local hotel. As many as 65 stalls have been set up in the exhibition while a large number of foreign buyers hailing from 25 countries are participating in the exhibition. TDAP Chief Zubair Motiwala along with PCMEA Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf and others made a detailed visit to the stalls in the exhibition and appreciated quality and beautiful designs of handmade carpets. Zubair Motiwala said that last year, the export volume of this industry was US $ 72 million which needed to be increased and “For this, we are offering our financial and technical support.” He added that those who had kept alive this industry which was considered to be the hallmark of Pakistan deserved appreciation and it was a highly specialized sector and this industry was known in the world as the culture of Pakistan.
He said, “It is not that this art will die but we have to move towards innovation with the changing times. Manufacturers should be aware of new trends, choose colours and materials according to the demand in the world and through this the exports can be increased manifold.”
Carpet Associations SVC Usman Ashraf said that foreign buyers from 25 countries were participating in the exhibition and hoped that there will be large-scale export deals in this three-day exhibition, which will strengthen our industry. TDAP Secretary Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi, Director General Punjab Rana Shehzad, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar, PCMEA Chairman Naeem Khokhar, Vice Chairman Zafar Idris Soleja, and Carpet Training Institute (CTI) Chairperson Ejazur Rehman were also present.
