LAHORE, Feb 24: Pakistan in cooperation with China has started eying world tufted carpet market to break free from present stagnation in its carpet exports.

According to officials of the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturing and Export Association (PCMEA), the country has been exporting only hand-knotted carpets and its exports have been stuck at around $280 million for the last five years.

The world demand for tufted carpets is increasing at the rate of 10 to 15 per cent per annum. China and India presently lead the world market with a share of almost fifty per cent, they say.

Pakistan expects to claim a major share in tufted carpet because its export of hand-knotted carpets have fluctuated widely, mostly to the lower side. They crossed $200 million mark in 1998-99 and increased by a healthy 32 per cent to $264 million in year 1999-00. They jumped to a record $284 million in 2000-01 and then came 9/11, press them down drastically. Though last year exports again went up to $285 million, the industry fears that it may go in tale spin for any eventuality and it must expand into other areas like tufted carpets.

“But, Pakistan lacks proper product line of tufted carpets though they now accounts of major share in today’s market,” say the officials. These carpets can be manufactured in the country with much ease and Chinese experience can be prove to be a big asset in this regard.