Daily Times

Carpet and Leather sectors can become major export products if the government starts facilitating these sectors. These views were expressed by President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Tariq Misbah while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) led by Latif Malik here on Saturday.

LCCI Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan and Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry were also present on the occasion. The LCCI President said the government should provide conducive working environment especially to the export oriented industries, adding that special attention must be given to those earning much needed foreign exchange. The cost of doing business, he said, should be reduced along with the ease and need of doing business. He appreciated the State Banks’ policy to provide low interest loans on latest machinery import and upgradation of factories.

Mian Tariq Misbah while emphasizing on the need of exhibitions, said that international exhibitions provide a big opportunity to increase exports, adding Pakistan should start exploring international markets by conducting exhibitions for export products. LCCI President also said that the export development fund should be spent to increase the exports.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan said that the carpet industry has manufacturing capacity and potential of exports and it can also increase its capacity and can increase its share in international carpet export.

LCCI Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry said that the exporters can come to Lahore Chamber for the resolution of their issues. Problems related to SBP can also be addressed here at LCCI SBP desk. He said LCCI is committed to stand with the exporters and will work with them to achieve maximum export targets.

Pakistan Carpet Manufactures and Exporters Association delegates said that our biggest competitor is India, we should research and make a report on Indian policies and facilities being provide to carpet exporters. They said this way we can ask and motivate the government to also provide us with same facilities in order to counter Indian influence and exports and increase our export share in international market. They said the Indian government is providing the carpet exporters subsidy on shipments. When they participate in international exhibitions they also get subsidy on returning freight. Instead we have to throw our products there.

They said that the biggest issue the carpet industry is facing right now is shipment. ‘Our bookings are being cancelled and airlines are also not available for freight’ government should provide dedicated freight flights, they said. They said that carpet is the only major commodity in Handicrafts being exported, other products should be facilitate and marketed to increase the handicrafts exports. They emphasized on identification of problems they are facing by saying that if the problems are identified in a proper manner they can be resolved, they concluded.