US businessmen express interest in Pakistani furniture

Call for promoting furniture trade and investment

LAHORE: US furniture producers have expressed keen interest in handmade Pakistani traditional furniture and underscored the need for further deepening collaboration with the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) in order to promote the industry.

Leading a delegation, Gurjatinder Singh Randhawa highlighted the existence of a significant potential for promoting Pakistan-US furniture trade and further strengthening investment relations.



“The demand for US furniture at the manufacturers’ level is forecast to touch $59 billion in 2021,” the delegation leader revealed. “This poses a great opportunity for Pakistani furniture manufacturers to tap the maximum potential.” For that purpose, he suggested that the PFC should focus on imparting modern training to woodworkers.

He pointed out that the aim of the visit was to identify new avenues in the furniture sector and the experience had been excellent considering the investment opportunities and peaceful atmosphere.

Praising Prime Minister Imran Khan for inaugurating the Kartarpur corridor, Singh said he would urge Sikhs to invest in Pakistan, especially in the hospitality industry, to facilitate Sikh pilgrims.

PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq briefed the delegation about the potential of furniture sector in Pakistan. He acknowledged that a vast potential existed for the promotion of furniture trade between Pakistan and the US.



“We are making utmost efforts to lift furniture exports to cater to the rising global demand,” he added.

Ashfaq stressed that the furniture industry catered to various categories and trends which transformed rapidly and it was vital to offer products which reflected the fast-changing trends.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2019.

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