Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) chalking out a plan for furniture export

Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) is chalking out a plan to effectively address the challenges faced by the furniture industry in Pakistan. PFC is working to put new policies in place to encourage growth within the sector in order to promote exports.

“Pakistan Furniture Export, 2020” was organized on Thursday to initiate discussion on the subject. PFC Chairman Mian Kashif Ashfaq was the chief guest at the event and former President LCCI Almas Hyder marked his presence as a keynote speaker.

Chairman PFC pressed on the need for improved policy structure in Pakistan’s furniture sector. He also brought the audience’s attention toward the lack of specialized labor in the Pakistani furniture industry.

PFC Chairman Mian Kashif Ashfaq assured the attendees of the Prime Minister’s full support in overcoming these issues.

He further highlighted his concern about the state of labor;

“There is a dire need of providing financial support for skills training and up-gradation of machines with a view to boosting labor-intensive furniture sector besides awarding industry status to this sector for boosting export”.

As the Sitting Chairman of Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC), Mian Kashif Ashfaq further stated,

“Good thing is that FIEDMC would establish a technical university in Punjab’s Special economic zone, for which an accord has been signed with Fauji Foundation and a Chinese Tianjin University.”

‘Furniture City’

PFC Chairman Mian Kashif Ashfaq’s ambitious vision for Pakistan’s furniture industry consists of a “Furniture City” comprising globally competent Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SZEs) on 150 acres of land in Allama Iqbal Industrial City. He also plans to put the industry on the map through worldwide advertisement.

Former President LCCI Almas Hyder expressed his opinion that the businesses should be provided adequate support in order to market themselves on an international level. He also stated his hope that new policies would be developed with the agreement of all the involved stakeholders.

Encouraging the inclusion of new talent and creativity in the industry, Hyder said,

”Government should also take measures to provide interest-free loans to youth for business startups especially those who are interested in opening a business in the furniture sector.”

He concluded his address by emphasizing on his faith in the ability of the industry, and his appreciation for Mian Kashif Ashfaq’s vision.

What are your views on this? Share in the comments bar below.