Lahore, Pakistan, September 13-- According to latest figures released by the State Bank, carpet exports from Pakistan declined from $19.6 million in July 2004 to $15.6 million in August 2004, denoting a fall of about 20 percent.
Disclosing these figures Naeem Tahir Sheikh, spokesman of the industry, said that the latest figures reflect a trend that has strengthened over the last two years. Since 9/11, carpet exports are stagnating having fallen from the speak of $285 million to a little over $200 million.
In 2003-04 carpet exports remained stagnant both in volume and value terms 3.56 million sqm and $220.89 million as compared to 3.56 million sqm and $220.73 million in previous year. America, the most important destination for Pakistani exports returned a negative figure.
Naeem Tahir Sheikh said that Pakistan carpet exports are going through difficult time because there is no organized marketing and research at the collective level. Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has not played its due role. Whatever innovation has been done is at the level of a few enterprising individuals.
It is because of the efforts of a few big export houses that the industry has been able to keep its present level. He emphasized that the world carpet market is becoming more competitive day by day, and unless the industry as a whole rose to meet the challenge, exports may not increase in the coming days and may further decline.
