December 5, 2001	Wednesday	Ramazan 19, 1422

KARACHI, Dec 4: The exports of wooden furniture had jumped by more than 119.5 per cent during the last four years, rising from a modest $1.89 million during 1996-97 to $4.15 million in 1999-2000.

According to a report compiled by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) here on Tuesday, this phenomenal rise in furniture export was due to effective marketing by Pakistani exporters in recent years.

“However, there is a need to further explore international market for boosting our exports as there is a lot of potential for increasing Pakistani furniture export.” The report said that the value of furniture export was very nominal but the beginning had been made, and with aggressive marketing strategy the value of exports could be doubled in a short span.

The major buyers of Pakistani furniture were UK, US, Sri Lanka, Gulf countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, etc. United States was the sole buyer of Pakistani bedroom furniture while UK, Gulf countries imported kitchen and office furniture from Pakistan, the report said.

Pakistan also imported furniture from Italy, Germany, US, Japan, etc. During 1999-2000, Pakistan’s import of furniture was estimated at $1.71 million.

Recently, a leading retail chain in the United Kingdom had shown keen interest in Pakistani wooden furniture, and the top executive of this chain was planning to hold a show of Pakistani furniture in Great Britain.

Another leading British retail chain, The Harrods, was already selling Pakistani wooden furniture at its outlets, the report said. The EPB was arranging participation of Pakistani furniture exporters in two leading furniture fairs next year.

“Furniture Show of Birmingham is one of the biggest fairs in Europe, which is scheduled to be held from January 23, while North Carolina furniture exhibition will be held in April.”

The United States was the leading importer of furniture followed by Germany and France while Italy was the major exporter followed by Germany and Canada.—APP