LAHORE: The carpet industry of Pakistan has witnessed more than 50 per cent decline in export and fallen from $300 million to $120 million in last five years.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive SM Muneer revealed this while addressing the opening ceremony of International Handmade Carpet Exhibition organised by Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PCMEA) at a local hotel.
On the other hand, he said, due to the Indian government’s support to the industry, the export of Indian rugs had increased by 9 per cent in early 2014-15, adding, “This all has been done owing to huge incentive and variety of subsidies by the government, turning the Indian products competitive in markets of the US, China and Latin America.”
SM Muneer said that the Pakistani government was struggling hard to bringing positive revolution in business environment to boost handmade carpet exports.
“The government is determined to facilitate hand-knitted carpet industry, resolving all issues of infrastructural, skill and product development, and research to enhance trade volume for economic stability and growth,” he added.
PCMEA Chairman Usman Ghani, on the occasion, said that loans to the poor hand-knitted carpets manufacturers should be provided on only 3 per cent service charges, as the 100 per cent exportable hand-made carpets provided livelihood to more than one million people in remote areas.
