GUJRAT: Rising demand for mist fans on the international market has helped Pakistan earn at least 18 per cent more foreign exchange from exports during 2016-17 as compared to a year ago.

However, ceiling fan exports decreased during the period under review, particularly towards Bangladesh where a Pakistani businessman established manufacturing unit in Dhaka under a joint venture.

Talking to Dawn, exporters said though the number of electric fans exports from Pakistan has decreased by 4pc, but in terms of market value the share has increased by some 17.96pc in 2016-17 as compared to 2015-16.

According to the data issued by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, as many as 1.273 million fans were exported during 2016-17, highlighting a 4pc decrease as compared to 1.326 million fans in 2015-16.

However in terms of value of these exported fans, the country earned foreign exchange worth $30.168 million (Rs3.15 billion) as compared to previous year’s value of $25.681m (Rs2.678bn).

Exporter Haji Muhammad Ilyas said some manufacturing units producing low quality fans are difficulty in exporting fans. Also, the United Arab Emirates has imposed restrictions on Pakistani fans to meet European standards and this could be a reason for decline in quantity, he added.

Pedestal fan exports have increased, particularly mist fans that spray water in the air leading to a cooling effect. Pakistani mist fans are sold of $90 per piece as compared to normal pedestal fans which are priced at around 20 dollars in the global market, he said.

Price of Pakistani fan is higher than the Chinese ones but these are also more durable and heavy duty in terms of quality, he explained. .

Another exporter Ali Usman said the turmoil in Yemen and Iraq for the last few years has also been a cause of decline in the export of Pakistani fans. “These countries have always been a good market for ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ fans,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2017