Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir during his meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA), comprising exhibition committee chairman Akhtar Nazir Khan Cooki, chief organiser, Qamar Zia, and association Chairman Usman Ghani announced support for the declining handmade carpet sector in the country, and approved up to Rs 7.5 million for the 33rd International Pakistan Handmade Carpet Exhibition to be held from October 6 to 9 in Lahore.

The government is working with the people in the carpet industry to make the business environment more export-friendly. Because of absence of incentives, political instability and energy shortage, the export of Pakistani carpets have fallen from US 300 million dollars to US 120 million dollars during last six years. The government is determined to facilitate handmade carpet industry, resolving issues ranging from infrastructural shortcomings to skill and product development and research to enhance trade volume for economic stability and growth, the minister was quoted as saying.

Qamar Zia, who is also PCMEA Senior Vice Chairman, said that the exhibition could help put the economy on track because exhibitions are the key to exhibit the untapped potentials of Pakistan and to introduce Pakistan's products in the world market.

Exhibition committee chairman Cooki said that it is encouraging for the exporters to have a long meeting recently with the premier to discuss as to how export of the country could be improved. He also praised the minister for assuring support to boost industrial production and especially approving such a record package of up to Rs 7.5 million to conduct the Pakistan Carpet Show with a view to promote handmade carpet export.

He suggested to the minister that they should also arrange maximum exhibitions in the world to convince the international buyers to import Pakistani handmade carpets by portraying the soft image of the country. This year the carpet show is going to be the largest showcase of Pakistan's handmade carpets. The event will be visited by a large number of buyers from across the world while over 65 national manufacturers will display their products in the exhibition.

The association will focus more to ensure maximum participation of local new home owners, interior designers, architects and the public to create awareness about the carpets as pieces of art created by local artisans.

Chief organiser Zia said that the delegates from across the world had been invited and it was expected that over 150 foreign companies would visit this magnificent carpet show. The carpet fair will not only facilitate the entrepreneurs and business owners but also highlight the soft image of the country. The exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity of connecting in the areas of interest.