Lahore: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with representatives from the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) to address ongoing challenges in the country's hand-knotted carpet export sector. The discussions focused on identifying immediate remedial measures to alleviate disruptions in the supply chain.
According to Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the delegation highlighted significant disruptions in the supply of partially woven carpets. These challenges have complicated efforts by exporters to fulfill international orders, potentially jeopardizing Pakistan's market share in competitive global arenas and posing risks to foreign exchange earnings. The representatives urged the government to eliminate operational bottlenecks and streamline processes to ensure timely fulfillment of export commitments.
Abdul Latif Malik, Patron-in-Chief, and former Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf emphasized the longstanding significance of the hand-knotted carpet industry as a key source of foreign exchange. However, they noted a recent decline in exports due to various challenges, affecting thousands of skilled artisans.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan affirmed the Ministry of Commerce's commitment to promoting value-added exports like hand-knotted carpets, stressing the industry's role in employment generation and cultural preservation. He assured the delegation of government efforts to resolve supply chain issues and enhance support for exporters, aiming to build a competitive and sustainable export-driven economy.