PFC demands allocation of special funds in upcoming federal budget to boost furniture industry

ISLAMABAD, Apr 09 (APP):Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Tuesday urged the Federal and provincial governments to allocate special chunk of funds in coming fiscal budget 2019-20 to boost furniture exports besides giving the status of a full-fledged industry and provision of raw material at economical rates.

Chief Executive of PFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq expressed these views while chairing a meeting of board of directors here Tuesday ,” says a press release issued here .

He said the local furniture manufacturers were facing challenges due to heavy imports of furniture.
He said Chinese furniture has also hit the local industry; resultantly, the sales of locally manufactured household furniture have gone down by reasonable percent.

Pressure on the domestic industry has immensely increased as other countries like Thailand and Korea have started exporting extensively to Pakistan.

He further said it is the responsibility of the government to patronize the local industry by discouraging import of furniture items.

Rather, he urged the government for announcing 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.

“The variety and traditional expertise of woodworkers and craftsmen has a huge potential for exports, and can cater not only to local market but also to the wealthy looking for unique furniture items at international market,” he added.

“By doing this, we will not only diversify our export basket but this will also contribute to GDP growth and provide employment opportunities to numerous people having varying skills in furniture making,” he added.

He said there was a need to devise a comprehensive strategy to promote the industry on commercial basis which will not only support the manufactures but also increase our export across the world.

He said good working environment will enhance the capacity of our workers enabling them to compete internationally.

“Business community pinned high hopes on Prime Minister Imran Khan that stakeholders will be taken into confidence prior to chalk out future economic strategies,” adding he said PFC would fully support the judicious economic policies of the government aimed at to steer the country out of economic quagmire.