August 30, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-us-Saani 20, 1423

LAHORE, Aug 29: Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood will open a four-day international carpet exhibition here on Monday.

The exhibition has been organized by the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) in collaboration with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Some 134 carpet dealers and importers from Europe, the US, Australia and Far East are expected to visit the exhibition being held in Lahore after a lapse of six years.

Pakistan’s carpet exports fell to $233 million during 2001-02 from $288 million the previous year. The event is expected to boost the carpet exports hit hard by 9/11 last year.