Foreign furniture makers show interest in Pakistan exhibition

PFC official says it is working to expand footprint, create awareness of hand-made furniture

LAHORE: A number of foreign furniture manufacturers and investors have expressed keen interest in the three-day 10th mega exhibition ‘Pakistan Interiors Exhibition 2018’, which will start on December 14, said Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq.

Presiding over a board of directors meeting on Monday, he said the PFC was on a mission to educate people about the value of fine hand-made furniture. The exhibition has garnered great interest among the people and the international market.

“This time too, the PFC continues to expand its global footprint by welcoming visitors from different countries including China, Italy, Singapore, USA, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, the UK, Bulgaria, Denmark, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Vietnam. Exhibitors will have an opportunity to meet new buyers for networking and market expansion,” he added.

He said that the exhibition would provide the young designers and architects an opportunity to witness market trends and display their own works alongside more established professionals. The PFC CEO said that the show would offer a full range of furniture with extensive selection of modern and contemporary styles for dining, bedroom, living room, office, occasional, children, outdoor as well as furniture fittings and hardware.

“The problem with furniture making is that it takes so much labour, so one of our goals is to show people what we do and why our work is worth what it costs them.”

He said that the council was also working to act as the focal point for Pakistani furniture designers and manufacturers to enter the international market. Pakistan’s wood industry is well developed and captures 95% of the country’s total market for furniture. The country has more than 700 units of wooden furniture with Chiniot alone meeting 80% of furniture demand in the country.

Briefing the meeting, PFC Secretary Aqal Sardar said Pakistan was not known globally as a furniture market, which could convince international business community about innovation and quality of Pakistani products.

He suggested that the government should encourage and support business houses to invest and develop trustworthy furniture trade markets. There is a need for holding exhibitions in the EU member states to raise awareness about Pakistan’s traditional and innovative products, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2018.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.