March 11, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 7, 1424

KARACHI, March 10: Pakistani carpet weavers have started learning the art of weaving on the pattern on Afghan weaving technique in order to offset the impact of massive exodus of Afghan refugees to their homeland, which has already caused serious setback to Pakistan’s carpet exports.

Leading carpet exporters have started utilizing the expertise of Afghan refugees, considered masters in weaving, to impart training to local workers so that dependence on Afghan weavers could be eliminated in the long run.

“Around 50-60 leading exporters individually have arranged this kind of facility. I think it will take one and a half year to switch over fully to local carpet weavers and to reachieve the old production levels,” vice chairman, Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA), (Southern Circle), Nisar A. Meer told Dawn on Monday.

The return of Afghan refugees, since some peace returned to war-torn Afghanistan last year, has adversely affected the local production and carpet exports and even today exporters still feel the pinch of Afghans’ return due to continuous decline in exports. Afghan refugees, mostly settled in Peshawar and Attock areas and some in Sohrab Goth, were involved in over 50 per cent of carpet production accounting for roughly 60 per cent of carpet exports.

“I think that there are still around 100,000 Afghan weavers in Pakistan as compared to 300,000-400,000 a year back,” Nisar said.

Carpet exports stood at $233 million (4.75 million square metres) in 2001-02 as compared to $289 million (6.4 million square metres) in 2000-01. After 9/11 events — Pakistan’s share to US carpet exports had plunged to 25-30 per cent from 55-60 per cent due to recession in the market and Afghan factor.

Decline in carpet exports still persists as revenue earning in July-February 2002-03 has fallen by eight per cent to $139 million (2.67 million square metres) as compared to $153 million (3.17 million square metres). There is still a shortfall of production of about one million square metres.

He said if government comes out with effective policy of providing funds and impart training to local weavers in institutes, — carpet industry would overcome the impact of return of Afghan refugees a bit earlier. He said some exporters have also made arrangement for weaving bulk of their carpet production in Kabul by Afghans and then transported back to Pakistan.

Nisar Meer was not much hopeful of cut in import duty by the US by 2.5 per cent on Pakistani carpet. “I think our export to US is expected to increase by five to six per cent instead of a big margin,” he said.

He said exporters have now pinned their hopes to fetch more export orders as the association is holding Carpet Mega Show at Expo Centre on August 28-31 this year and 100-150 foreign buyers are expected to attend it.

Ex-chairman, PCMEA, Yacoob H. Salehji said that local weavers are being trained on a modern way and as per the requirement of foreign buyers. “I think it will take at least two years to achieve the desired results from the Pakistani weavers and to attain higher production levels,” he added.

He said that the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has prepared an “export development plan” for the US and started holding meetings with the relevant sectors including carpet makers. According to the working paper, the US imports carpet worth $1.416 billion per annum and the share of Pakistan is just $95.64 million. EPB is optimistic that the export potential of carpet in one year to US is estimated at 15 per cent or $110 million and $191 million in five years under the plan.

In a letter to EPB chairman, he said carpets are sold on spot selection and buyers’ taste and liking of colours and designs change every time. He urged the EPB to engage a consultant in the US who guides the exporters time to time about change in fashion trend.

He said exhibition of carpets should also be held in Las Vegas, Houston and Atlanta besides New York, Los Angeles and Miami.