Lahore, Pakistan, December 28, 2005--Latest figures of Pakistan’s carpet exports for the first four months of the current fiscal year show a slight decline as compared to the export figures in the corresponding period of 2004, according to the Daily Times.
Naeem Tahir Sheikh, spokesman of the carpet industry, talking to newsmen Saturday said quantity wise our carpet sales went up from 1,287 million sqm in July-October 2004 to 1,404 million sqm in 2005, marking an increase of 9 percent. But in rupee terms the export figure declined from the previous year’s Rs 4,445 billion Rs 4,363 billion, declining a decreased of 1.84 percent and 3 percent in dollar terms.
Analyzing the market situation Mr Tahir said in the last couple of years Pakistan has been facing increasing competition from both India and China in the international carpet market.
Pakistan no longer holds the monopoly on tribal-classical design carpets, which have been the mainstay of its exports in recent years.
India has now begun making the same design and offering it at a lower price, cutting into Pakistan’s share of the market. This was evident from the decrease in unit price of our carpets.
He said another reason for decline in our carpet exports was China has been making sootri design which has been Pakistan’s exclusive product for many years.
He suggested in view of the changing market demand, Pakistani manufacturers should come up with new designs to maintain their position in international market.
