ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Monday constituted a high level committee for co-ordination and arrangements for holding a 3-day 9th mega Interiors Pakistan Exhibition in befitting manners.
The event would be held at the Expo Center from December 15 to attract foreign investors and promote the local furniture industry.
A meeting of PFC board of directors was held, which was chaired by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mian Kashif Ashfaq and briefed about the arrangements of the upcoming exhibition, said apress release issued here today.
He said there is great potential in Pakistan’s local furniture industry and 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 traveling to trade shows and promoting Pakistan’s export as a success globally.
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.
He praised the furniture carving industry of Chiniot, Gujrat and Gojra and said that it requires the government’s support in order to get promoted internationally.
“Rs4 billion worth of furniture is imported but unfortunately, exports remain at Rs0.7 billion, which clearly shows the condition of the local furniture industry,” said Ashfaq, while stressing the need to promote local industry.
Mian Kashifsaid they expects that more than 50 leading companies and interior designers will display their products while as many as 200,000 to 250,000 people to visit this mega exhibition.
Interior’s Pakistan is a step towards initiating international trade exhibitions and also to enhance the possibility to participate in international exhibitions as a collaborative industry from Pakistan, he added. He said Pakistan furniture industry has a great potential in future and the council predicts that the increased exposure through Interiors Pakistan will highlight the skill and talent in the country, adding that a special discount on all brands will be offered at the exhibition.
