ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood has said that a long-term strategy is being evolved to bring substantial growth in the export of hand-knotted carpets.

This he said at a meeting with the members of carpet manufacturers and exporters association here on Wednesday, said an official announcement.

Commerce minister told the association that a number of international firms have also been approached for finances to expand this industry under joint venture schemes.

He proposed to the carpet manufacturers to prepare their proposal for undertaking joint ventures with Jordan and Afghanistan.

He was of the view that if the manufacturing of carpets was carried out at large scale, Pakistan would be able to meet the increasing demands of multinationals chains of stores. This would in turn bring in foreign investment and would strengthen the state exchequer.

The minister asked the delegation to come up with concrete proposals for bringing visible growth in the industry.

He appreciated the association member’s efforts for arranging exhibition of hand knotted carpets at Lahore, which attracted 120 buyers from all over the world.

He also advised them to keep the quality of their products high and globally competitive so that the demand of our carpet could be increased.