LAHORE: Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan will inaugurate the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) three-day '6th Interiors Pakistan' mega exhibition on November 25 here at Expo Centre.
PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq in a statement on Tuesday said the event will be attended by members of the diplomatic corps,leading businessmen,stakeholders of the furniture industry and foreign delegations.
Delegations from China,Italy,United Kingdom,Turkey,Hong Kong,Thailand and Bangkok have confirmed their participation while delegations from other countries are also expected.
He said almost 100 brands will exhibit at the event.Diamond Foam is the prime sponsor of the event,while Dolce Vita Home, Habitt,NM Furnishers, National Furnishers,Interwood,Ambiance,ChenOne Home,Dawon Chairs,Index Furniture,Fantac,Style & Comfort,Torch,Furniture Kingdom,Profine,OffiSys, Charag Din & Co, Offix and Purani Yaadein would be major exhibitors. PFC Chief said the council is expecting more than 50 leading local companies and interior designers will display their products while as many as 200,000 to 250,000 visitors to visit this mega exhibition.
He said this exhibition will also provide the younger designers and architects to see the market trends and display their own work alongside that of more established professionals.
PFC is also continuing its work to develop a Pakistani presence in more countries and to act as the focal point for Pakistani furniture designers and manufacturers to enter international market,he added.
Pakistan's wood industry is well developed and captures 95pc of the country's total market for furniture.The country has more than 700 units of wooden furniture with Chiniot,alone meets 80pc of furniture demand in the country,while Peshawar,Lahore and Karachi being important centers.
PFC and ChenOne Chief Executive said Pakistan imported furniture worth of Rs. 1.69 billion in 2015-16,saying,"Its a mere consumption of our hard earned foreign exchange". Furthermore,import of furniture items could create a viable threat of unemployment in local furniture industry.
The furniture industry in Pakistan has great potential as it can be both a labour intensive and capital intensive sector."Skilled craftsmen can create unique pieces while large scale factories can produce many identical units in both cases, adding to the employment".
Appreciating the efforts of Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan for promoting trade activities in Pakistan Mian Kashif Ashfaq said the government has earlier promised to extend all possible assistance to local furniture industry to enhance country's export and improve business environment.
He said if furniture sector will be given a status of an industry it will bring multiple socio-economic benefits.
Ifttikhar Ali Malik,Vice President SAARC Chamber and Chairman United Business Group will be guest of honor on the second day. LCCI Chief Abdul Basit will be guest of honour on first day.
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