ISLAMABAD: Chinese furniture manufacturers have shown interest in establishing a ‘furniture manufacturing units through joint ventures in Pakistan with focus on furniture manufacturing as well as establishing Pakistani furniture outlets in different cities of China to promote furniture trade between two countries.
According to a message received here from Shanghai , China on Saturday, Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq said as Pakistan and China are moving towards greater economic cooperation, a high level of PFC delegation is recently on a visit with along with PM entourage to enhance mutual cooperation in trade and technology sectors.
Appreciating Prime Minister Imran Khan’s role for enhancing economic ties with China, he said the Pakistani premier is warmly welcomed in China and perception about Pakistan after PTI government is developed positively and Chinese investors and the government are interested to invest in Pakistan and discussed about joint ventures in different sectors including furniture. He said the Chinese would also continue to provide support and help to the best of its ability for Pakistan's economic and social development and national construction.
Pakistani furniture manufacturers are also focusing on manufacturing contemporary with innovative touch on modern lines besides showcasing traditional and handmade local furniture in the international exhibition. “We want to diversify our exports and find new partners for doing business, “he added.
He said that Pakistan exports furniture products of worth $8 million to $12 million annually, but these figures do not mirror the actual potential of the industry and its capacity to produce high-quality furniture items. In this regard, he suggested local exporters to actively take part in international shows and furniture exhibitions to ostentatiously present Pakistan’s ability to produce jaw-dropping furniture items.
Mian Kashif said that Chinese technology could help upgrading the furniture sector of Pakistan and utilize its untapped capacity.
He believed that Pakistan had a lot of potentials to promote itself for Chinese business community while China was a country that provided excellent business opportunities for them.
He said Pakistan’s business community is not only targeting to step up exports to China but is also striving to strengthen the partnership that will facilitate growth in trade with major partners such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal, France and Italy.
In this regard, he appreciated the role of PFC in bringing the latest technical know-how in Pakistan to develop the local Furniture Industry for manufacturing quality products competitive with the international market.
He also said that Pakistan can further enhance the quality of its furniture products if joint ventures are formed between the two countries and machines are provided on lease by China to furniture manufacturers in Pakistan.