LAHORE: Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has joined hands with the National College of Arts (NCA) to promote the country’s carpet industry through an international exhibition to be held in October this year.
PCMEA Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf told the media here on Sunday that the collaboration was aimed at aligning promotional efforts with global standards and trends to revive the beleaguered industry.
The upcoming World Expo in Lahore will showcase Pakistani carpets to attract potential buyers, boost exports and contribute to economic growth.
Usman Ashraf urged the government to provide full patronage for the success of the international event during a review meeting on World Expo preparations.
He emphasized the need for extraordinary cooperation of all relevant institutions including the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
He mentioned that the association recently held a meeting attended by Senior Central Leader Abdul Latif Malik, Senior Member Riaz Ahmed, Shahid Hasan Sheikh, Atiqur Rehman and Major (Retd) Akhtar Nazir, Saeed Khan to discuss matters related to foreign buyer contacts. , features of the proposed hospitality package and other suggestions.
Expressing optimism that the upcoming global event in Pakistan will boost the ailing handloom carpet industry, the PCMEA Senior Vice President highlighted its importance.
He called upon TADAP and relevant institutions to provide robust financial and technical support keeping in view Pakistan’s economic climate to ensure the success of the event.
He said stakeholders in the industry have reservations about the current tax system, terming it as an obstacle to achieving the government’s ambitious export targets of $60-100 billion, and therefore all concerned authorities should reform the tax system in consultation with all stakeholders .
