Govt, private sector urged to join hands to raise forest cover

Furniture and local industries experiencing serious supply shortages

ISLAMABAD:

Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh has urged the government and private sector to join hands for raising Pakistan's forest cover from 5 per cent to 25 to meet the growing needs of the furniture industry in the country.

Talking to CEO Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Mian Kashif Ashfaq, Sheikh said currently, furniture and local industries were experiencing serious supply shocks which were not only impeding their further growth but also adversely affecting their international competitiveness.

As the global economy is expected to be more challenging this year in wake of Covid 19, he urged the furniture industry to remain resilient by innovating, adopting technology as well as diversifying export markets to sustain demand in the long run.

“We have to overcome challenges to strengthen our market share; we must continue to produce innovative and market-oriented products to meet challenging times,” he added.

Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said in the absence of enough supplies of wood, cheaper furniture made of fancy and laminated sheets of chipboard had flooded the local market. He said wooden furniture like that of sheesham wood, was quite expensive which is why Shishum’s furniture was made for selected buyers only.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2022.