The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has commenced a well-knitted programme for the promotion of 'Pakistan-Made' products in foreign countries. Official sources told Business Recorder on Sunday here that under the programme, space in high traffic prestigious shopping malls was being arranged as per the requirement of exporters and the first phase of this programme was being implemented in Dubai for display and the sale of their products, for this purpose, the EPB will pay 50 percent of the rent.
They said the establishment of the display and retail outlets was also under active consideration and would be selected in consultation with Pakistan missions and exporters in London and New York.
Sources said under this programme, textile apparels and made-ups, carpets and floor coverings, leather garments and leather products, beauty care products, cutlery, sports goods and sports-wears, electric fans, furniture, handicrafts, packaged food products, bicycles and kitchenware would be displayed.
The government was making adequate efforts for ascertaining the causes of decline and propose remedies of exports to various countries like Japan, they added.
Sources said the beginning of the programme will be from Japan where collaboration on cost-sharing basis would be undertaken with Japanese trading houses for market research, products identification, and subsequent joint marketing.
In addition to this, the sources said the Export Promotion Bureau has also announced a promotional scheme for acquiring or franchising established foreign brand names. The scheme to be known as "Brand Name Acquisition/Franchising' (BNAF) will be operative with immediate effect.
They said the EPB at its own cost will engage consulting firms abroad to help it in identifying brands available for acquisition, franchising and ascertaining the costs.
Sources said that products like garments, bed-linen, towels, rice, leather products, and garments, surgical instruments, sports goods and sport-wear, jewellery, marble and granite, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and selected engineering goods would be covered under the scheme.