Karachi, Pakistan, January 10, 2006--Pakistan carpet exports are set to gain momentum on back of international carpet exhibition being held in Germany from January 15-18, according to Asia Pulse.
Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers & Exporters Association chairman Abdul Ghafoor Sajid said fresh orders of Pakistani carpets were expected after the exhibition. Talking to PPI via telephone, he said PCMEA was optimistic about achieving export target of $235 million for financial year 2005-06."Demand for Pakistani carpet had increased as compared to Afghani counterparts," he added.
Referring to Export Promotion Bureau chairman Tariq Ikram's apprehension about a drop in carpet exports, he said exports were doing fine prior to December last, when due to Christmas and subsequent holidays in Europe slightly affected exports. PCMEA had originally set eyes on export target of $240 million in FY 2005-6 as compared with exports of $232 million in last fiscal year.
"This (financial) year's target is not insubstantial. Nor Indian or Chinese carpets have an edge over Pakistani products," he said, adding that handicraft differ from place to place and each design has its own market.
However, he said the business needed to be upgraded from a cottage industry."Programming goods culture, requiring manufacturers to produce exactly in line with orders, is in demand," he explained. He said this also ensures customer satisfaction and for the purpose industry needed a place to regroup and organize. A proposal for 50-acre land in Korangi was pending with relevant authorities. Hopefully, a decision in this regard would be made shortly, he added.
