Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi stressed the need for participation in Furniture China 2014 exhibition, scheduled to be held from September 10 to 14, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Such exhibitions can play a pivotal role for Pakistani furniture manufacturers in achieving the furniture export target of more than $1 billion annually in the international furniture market, Afridi said in a statement on Monday.

He said Pakistani furniture industry exhibited astounding growth during the recent year. Exports of furniture from the country increased by 16.31 percent during July 2014 compared to the same months of last year, according to data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan earned $0.770 million from the exports of furniture compared to the $0.662 million in July 2013; furthermore, the exports of furniture increased by 8.30 percent in July 2014 when compared to the exports of $771 in June 2014.

He said Furniture China is a professional international furniture exhibition with an excellent reputation for more than 16 years, launched in 1993. Furniture China 2013 attracted 85,313 visitors in total, including 64,182 local visitors and 21,131 from overseas which cover 6 continents of 144 countries and regions. There were around 292 overseas companies participating as exhibitors.

He narrated the example of Japan that has great scope for Pakistani Furniture, because they like Pakistani Traditional Hand-Carved furniture designs with classic finishing and similar designs can be replicated in China market; therefore, efforts must be made to promote furniture exports by more regular participation in international shows. All this can happen if there is government's will and a vision amongst furniture traders.

He asserted that joint ventures with China through trade commissions for providing machines on lease can bring product quality at par with highest international standards. But, for this to happen, the furniture industry in Pakistan must vigorously be transformed from cottage or small scale industry to innovative industry through training, upgrading supplies and imports.

Faisal Afridi added Quality export furniture is being produced at Chiniot, Gujrat, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Karachi and the demand for Pakistani furniture has been rising constantly. The wooden furniture industry in Gujrat is also flourishing and contributing a large amount of foreign exchange earnings to Pakistan. About 70 to 80 percent furniture is made of Sheesham.

The leading furniture making areas of Pakistan are Chiniot, Gujrat, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. In terms of exports, Karachi comes first, followed by Lahore and Peshawar. Pakistan's major buyers of wooden furniture are the UK, the USA, Sri Lanka and Gulf countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. The United States buys mostly bedroom furniture. UK and the Gulf countries import kitchen furniture and office furniture. For example, the British retail chain Harrods sells some Pakistani furniture at its outlets. More than 80 percent of the furniture demand in the country is met by the Chinioti furniture. This industry, combined with the handicraft industry, is employing about 50,000 people.

The PCJCCI President said furniture with calligraphic engraving had great demand in local and international markets, which seems to be the dominant one in Pakistan; therefore, Pakistani craftsmen should focus on working in this particular area to earn the much-needed foreign exchange. In this regard Afridi appreciated the role of "Furniture Pakistan Company" and "All Pakistan Furniture Exporters Association 'APFEA'" in bringing the latest technical know-how in Pakistan to develop the local Furniture Industry for manufacturing quality products competitive with the international market, he added.