LAHORE: A high-level delegation of Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) left for United States on Saturday to explore new markets and build connections with American business community in furniture industry.
The PFC delegation headed by its Chief Executive Mian Muhammad Kashif will participate in the 6-day International Fair for Furniture and Interior going to be held in the Fall High Point Market North Carolina, US.
The Fall High Point Market is one of the world’s premier furniture manufacture, architectural woodwork, custom and general woodworking trade shows. The market holds two major shows each year, one in April and another in October, running for 6 days each time. There are around 70,000-80,000 attendees from over 100 countries.
Prior to his leave, talking to media persons, PFC chief Mian Kashif said the delegation would avail the opportunity to learn about the latest products and technologies in their fields, and would be able to improve their businesses as a result.
He further said that such business oriented tours could play a pivotal role for Pakistani furniture manufacturers in achieving the furniture export target of more than $1 billion annually in the international furniture markets. Answering a question, he said Pakistan’s major buyers of wooden furniture are the UK, the US, Sri Lanka and Gulf countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. The United States buys mostly bedroom furniture, he said and added the UK and the Gulf countries import kitchen furniture and office furniture.
For example, one of the British retail chain sells some Pakistani furniture at its outlets. More than 80 percent of the furniture demand in the country was met by the Chinioti furniture, he said. This industry, combined with the handicraft industry, is employing about 50,000 people, he added. He quoted the example of Japan that has great scope for Pakistani Furniture, because they like Pakistani traditional hand-carved furniture designs with classic finishing and similar designs could be replicated in USA market, therefore efforts must be made to promote furniture exports by more regular participation in international shows. All this can happen if there is government’s strong will for it and a vision amongst furniture traders, he added.
He said that furniture with calligraphic engraving had great demand in local and international markets, which seems to be the dominant one in Pakistan, therefore Pakistani craftsmen should focus on working in this particular area to earn the much-needed foreign exchange. In this regard, he appreciated the role of PFC in bringing the latest technical know-how in Pakistan to develop the local Furniture Industry for manufacturing quality products competitive with the international market.
