Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq said on Friday that there is an exigent need to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to explore international market for boosting our Pak-made world class furniture. Chairing a meeting with a delegation of furniture exporters hailing from the Sindh province at PFC head office on Friday, Mian Kashif appreciated the significant role of Sindh furniture exporters for expanding the volume of furniture export and said that the value of furniture export was very nominal but the beginning had been made, and with aggressive marketing strategy the value of exports could be doubled in a short span.
He said PFC successfully held its 8th three-day mega interiors Pakistan exhibition in Karachi expo center in which a large number of woodwork companies belonging to Karachi and Sindh participated and displayed their products which got public acclaim.
He further said PFC's upcoming 9th 3-day mega "Interiors Pakistan" will be held in December at Expo Center Lahore which will help boost the local furniture business inside and outside the country. He invited the exporters of the Pakistani furniture to participate in the upcoming PFC exhibition and display their products. He said the exhibition is an opportunity for large furniture companies and interior designers in the country to display their works.
He said, "The potential is largely untapped and there is room for diversification. The market beyond Pakistani borders is substantially larger than the local market." Applauding the work of local craftsmen, Mian Kashif said, "The variety and traditional expertise of woodworkers and craftsmen has a huge potential for exports, and can cater not only to the regular furniture market but also to the wealthy looking for unique furniture items." He said the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should support exporters of furniture at international furniture exhibitions. Exports to Italy, France and the USA were around 55 percent of total exports. Pakistani foreign missions should explore new avenues and holding fairs in their respective countries.
PFC planned Export Strategy 2018. This sector could touch more than $850 million export target by year 2017 if provided training centers for skill workmanship, women development schemes and high tech machinery. "Re-constitution of federal timber board, comprising private and public sector members is necessary to restructure sheesham wood plantation and ban its illegal export," he said and added that adding utility costs, improper wood seasoning, sub standard finishing, packing, poor designs, quality and not meeting world standard are other hindrances in enhancing exports.
He said that he was so much optimistic about the future of the exports of furniture items from Pakistan as the country has a huge potential that it can explore. The total world trade in furniture is estimated to be $23.2 billion, with a share of 77 percent wooden and 17 percent metal furniture.