Handmade furniture has potential to capture world market: Rajwana

Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana on Friday said that Pakistani handmade furniture products have great potential to capture world market. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of three-day 9th Interiors Pakistan mega exhibition, here at the Expo Centre. About 100 illustrious and leading brands exhibit their products at the event while more than 70 local and medium size companies and interior designers display their products at the exhibition.
He urged the businessmen to work extensively to promote local industry in Pakistan. "Pakistan is blessed with abundant resources and our people are equipped with the best skills that could help develop the country on modern lines," he said.
He said that joint efforts have to be made on modern lines to gain optimum access to international markets for locally manufactured furniture and accessories. He said that government would fully support the furniture industry to exploit its potential for boosting the production and maximize export worldwide.
He said the furniture industry in Pakistan has great potential as it can be both a labour intensive and capital intensive sector. He said skilled craftsmen can create unique pieces while large scale factories can produce many identical units - in both cases adding to the employment.
"I am delighted to support the Pakistan Furniture Council, a body committed to promoting Pakistani skill and craftsmanship, as well as creating international linkages to encourage trade," he remarked. The governor congratulated the PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq on the extensive showcasing of the furniture industry and expressed his commitment to support future endeavors.
He said concerted efforts are needed to promote locally manufactured furniture and relevant accessories. "This is also a good platform for new talent to come forward and be recognized. Through these exhibitions the Pakistan Furniture Council has laid the groundwork for furniture related commerce to move forward effectively and expand their market and in turn serve the economy of Pakistan," he added.
He said that PFC has done a lot to promote interior designers and furniture manufacturers from all over Pakistan, both nationally and internationally. Speaking on the occasion the PFC Chief Executive Mian Muhammad Kashif Ashfaq urged the government to declare furniture and interior decoration the industry status besides announcing a package of incentives to local manufacturers so that they could enhance the volume of their export items to gain their significant share in international market.
He demanded of the government to establish exclusive expo centres for furniture industry one each in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Peshawar and Quetta. He said that furniture sector would not only generate foreign exchange but also create potential jobs, and above all help the Pakistani furniture industry gain global recognition.
PFC is not only focusing to hold exhibitions in Pakistan only but also continuing its work to develop the country's presence in more countries and to act as the focal point for Pakistani furniture designers and manufacturers to enter international market, he said.