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PFC delegation leaves for US to explore new markets

By our correspondents
October 23, 2016

LAHORE: A high-level delegation of Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) left for the United States on Saturday to explore new markets and build connections with the American business community in furniture industry.

The PFC delegation headed by its Chief Executive Mian Muhammad Kashif will participate in the six-day International Fair for Furniture and Interior scheduled 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, manufacturer, 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 six days each time.

There are around 70,000-80,000 attendees from over 100 countries.

Talking to newsmen prior to his departure to the US, PFC Chief Mian Kashif said the delegation would avail of 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 also 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.

Pakistan’s major buyers of wooden furniture are the UK, US, Sri Lanka and Gulf countries, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.

The United States buys mostly bedroom furniture, he said, adding that the UK and the Gulf countries import kitchen 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 is met by the Chinioti furniture, Kashif added.

This industry combined with the handicraft industry is employing about 50,000 people, he added.

Kashif quoted the example of Japan that has a great scope for Pakistani furniture because they like Pakistani traditional hand-carved furniture designs with classic finishing and similar designs could be replicated in the US market; therefore, efforts must be made to promote furniture exports by more regular participation in the international shows.

All this can happen if there is government’s strong will for it and a vision among furniture traders, he added.

Furniture with calligraphic engraving had a 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, he added.

In this regard, he appreciated the role of PFC in bringing the latest technical knowhow in Pakistan to develop the local furniture industry for manufacturing quality products competitive with the international market.

When asked about the plan to boost the exports of the furniture items, he said, the government should immediately remove snags hampering furniture exports and take steps to curb Sheesham wood smuggling in the garb of raw material, besides awarding it a status of full-fledged industry.

He said the industry is also facing Sheesham wood depletion due to low plantation and illegal cutting of trees.

Furniture exports during January-July declined 3.90 million to 69 million as compared to 93 million in the same period of the last year.

“Our exports declined due to threefold rise in the cost of timber used for furniture exports and competition with foreign exporters,” he added.

Reconstitution of the Federal Timber Board, comprising private and public sector members, is necessary to restructure Sheesham wood plantation and ban its illegal exports.

Utility costs, improper wood seasoning, substandard finishing, packing, poor designs, quality and not meeting the world standards are other hindrances in enhancing exports, he said.

Kashif said the PFC is planning a strategy to enhance exports and this sector could touch more than $850 million exports target by 2017, if provided training centres for skill workmanship, women development schemes and high-tech machinery.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should support furniture exporters at the international furniture exhibitions.

Exports to Italy, France and the US are around 55 percent of the total exports.

Pakistani foreign missions should explore new avenues and hold fairs in their respective countries, he added.