Carpet export of Pakistan rises by 22.19 percent
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

LAHORE: Carpet exports from country registered considerable rise during the year 2004-2005 as compared to the exports during the year 2003-2004 as a result of efforts by Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA).

Vice Chairman (PCMEA) Maj (Retd) Akhtar Nazir while addressing a press conference said that carpet exports rose to dollars 282.805 million during the last fiscal year, showing an increase of 22.19 percent as compared to exports of Dollars 231.44 million during the preceding year.

About the efforts made by PCMEA, he specially referred to regional carpet fair held here last year which was also participated by China, India and Nepal.

Akhtar Nazir who is also Chief Executive of Exhibition Organising committee said if Export Promotion Bureau provide essential facilities to carpet exporters and play its role effectively, country has full potential to achieve carpet export target of dollars 300 million set for the year 2004-2005.

PCMEA is organising 3-day exhibition at Karachi from August-28 to be also participated by Bangladesh besides China, India and Pakistan. He said efforts are also being made to ensure that Iran and Turkey also join the exhibition.

To a question, he said EPB is not playing its role effectively to facilitate PCMEA in holding the exhibition while it also failed to clear bills which were due from it regarding the exhibition held last year.

To a question, he said , setting up of carpet city at Sunder Estate here can lead to leap jump in carpet exports from the country but regrettably the project is not being given due priority.●