Pakistani Government Urged To Help Carpet Makers

Lahore, Pakistan, June 2, 2008--The production cost of hand-knotted carpets is rising sharply in the world, which has resulted in stiff competition for Pakistan carpet manufacturers with regional rivals of China, India and Iran, according to Akhtar Nazir Kahn, chairman of the World Manual Carpet Association.

He said the federal government should announce a relief package for Pakistan's carpet industry in order to enhance exports considerably.

Akhtar Nazir Khan said Pakistani hand knotted carpets have gained significant popularity in the global market due to unique patterns, excellent designs and the ability of the exporters to innovate according to contemporary world's requirements. He added that price of Pakistani carpets are also competitive if compared with Iran, India or China.

However, he regretted rising cost of production have emerged as a big challenge for carpet industry. He said government should also prepare special attention to U.S. market, which is one of the biggest carpet markets for Pakistan.

"The share of handmade carpets is nominal if compared with the whole carpet market of USA," he said, adding that Pakistan should pay special attention to increase share of handmade carpet which is a piece of art. He regretted that many U.S. end users pay higher price for machine made carpets than the hand knotted one. He said a campaign in this regard should be launched through media for which government should provide resources.

He said local industry is globally competitive despite the fact that the Indian government provides 18 percent rebate on its hand knotted carpet exports besides subsidizing freight. He said the freight of carpet exports now accounts for almost 25 per cent of its value.
Regarding tuft carpets, he said, these are erroneously treated as hand knotted carpets. This impression, he added, has to be negated through awareness campaign.

Khan said India exports $400 million worth of Tuft carpets that most of the times pass as hand knotted carpets.

Khan hoped that the carpet exhibition being organized by Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association in Lahore in the last week of August would attract 200 foreign buyers.