Furniture markets worried over shortage of rosewood

Meeting held between stakeholders to discuss way forward

LAHORE: Many handmade traditional-furniture manufacturers are struggling to win large orders from global retailers due to a significant shortage of rosewood and trained woodworkers across the country, said Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq.

A meeting of furniture stakeholders on Monday was held to find concrete solutions to the problems being confronted by the local furniture industry in Pakistan. A large number of furniture makers and stakeholders, from across the country, participated in the meeting and presented their proposals to the PFC for a joint line of action.



Ashfaq said Pakistan’s furniture industry has the potential to be a substantial one at multiple levels as it can contribute significantly to the GDP and employ numerous people. “First of all, we should extend our forest cover from 5% to 25% of total area so that we can get wood especially rosewood,” said Ashfaq. “Secondly, we face acute shortage of trained woodworkers and when a local furniture brand wins large orders from global retailers, he fails to fulfill the demand because of non-availability of skilled workers.”

He demanded the government to provide technical training to workers. He said it.

About 67% of wood used in Pakistan’s products is produced domestically.

Ashfaq said Pakistani handmade furniture exports have grown steadily in recent years, but there is potential to increase foreign shipments.



He said these exports represent a very small portion of the total furniture business of the country.

However, given the high demand for timber, local furniture companies are faced with a significant shortage of material. He said only about 7% Pakistani furniture makers have managed to win large orders from global retailers.



Local companies believe that the government should throw its weight behind a plan to develop a sustainable forestry system that can be expanded as demand for wood grows.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2018.

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