CM Punjab vows to support small and medium sector including furniture industry

ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (APP):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Thursday said that government would take all available resources to boost small and medium business in the province t eliminate poverty from the country.
He said that Pakistan had the talent but lacked the skills and government’s main focus will be on skill development so that the Pakistani people can perform their best not only for their own country but also in foreign countries.
Addressing a reception hosted in honour of Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, he said the government has accepted the challenge to offset looming economic crisis besides reviving the industrial sector and restoring the confidence of investors, while generating new jobs to 10 million unemployed youth through skill development programmes.
The event was organized by Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC).Federal Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan was also present on the occasion, says a press release issued here.
Sardar Usman said that Pakistan loses a huge amount of foreign exchange on import that could be reduced by encouraging the local industries to grow by patronizing them.
He said government would also ask the concerned authorities to provide more visible support to furniture business in terms of simple and easily obtainable grants for exhibiting and travelling to trade shows and promoting local export as a success globally.
Appreciating the role of PFC in promoting furniture sector in the country, the CM Punjab said Pakistan furniture industry has a big potential to dominate global markets with innovative designs and could make a substantial contribution of billions of dollars export annually.
Speaking on the occasion, PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq said that the market potential of Pakistan’s handmade furniture is huge, and that the government should make policies in accordance with this.
He stressed on the importance of controlling for increased costs, fluctuating economy, consumer ignorance, and defective legislation as major hurdles for correcting market instability.
Ashfaq also stressed on the importance of developing legislation against the use of Sheesham trees and dedicated forestry zones for furniture.
He further said the demand of Pakistani furniture articles in international markets is on rise and there is need to pay focus on provision of raw wood and proper training to carpenters.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq apprised Chief Minister Punjab of issues and challenges small and medium business community are facing especially those who are running furniture business inside the country.