Furniture manufacturing: Turkish team expresses interest in joint ventures

Leading furniture producer voices hope trade relations will grow

LAHORE: A Turkish delegation has stated that furniture companies of Turkey are keen on enhancing business activities with the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) by holding business-to-business (B2B) meetings.

The delegation of Turkish furniture manufacturers, led by Mehmat Kirtas, said that they wanted to do business by undertaking joint ventures either in Turkey or Pakistan and were looking forward to sharing technology.



The high-level delegation, which was on a two-day visit to Pakistan, held a comprehensive business meeting with PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq.

Kirtas said Turkish companies wanted to further enhance collaboration with the PFC to promote furniture business and pave the way for improved trade ties between business communities of the two countries.



The delegation took keen interest in various made-in-Pakistan furniture products and discussed ways and means of boosting furniture trade, especially office furniture, and strengthening existing business relations between corporate sectors on modern lines.

Kirtas said Pakistan's furniture with calligraphic engraving had great demand in international markets, therefore, Pakistani craftsmen should focus on working in that area to earn foreign exchange. He said Pakistan had excellent craftsmen and designers, who could virtually give life to a piece of wood. Pakistan also had the potential to capture its share in the international market because the local industry had the finest wood available in the country, he added.

Musoot, a leading Turkish furniture producer, said he was confident that trade relations between Pakistan and Turkey would grow in the days to come. He suggested the exploration of avenues other than textiles such as leather products, surgical goods, sports goods, fresh and dry fruits, furniture, fans, air conditioners, marble, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals and cement.

The Turkish furniture sector is willing to enhance its trade ties with Pakistan and there are many areas which could be explored in the sector.



PFC's Ashfaq, while briefing the delegation about the prospects of furniture trade, proposed the start of a regular chartered vessel service between Pakistan and Turkey, regular exchange of trade delegations and the establishment of a permanent display centre of Pakistani furniture products in Istanbul.

He said most of the country had a great scope for Pakistani furniture because they like Pakistani traditional hand-carved furniture designs with classic finishing and similar designs could be replicated in the Turkish market.

"Efforts must be made to promote furniture exports by increased participation in international shows," he suggested.

Pakistan and Turkey have the trade volume well below the potential as Pakistan exported commodities worth $322.60 million and imported commodities valuing $238.45 million during 2014-15, showing a trade balance of $84.15 million in its favour.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2016.

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