PCMEA demands opening of LCs on priority basis

Lahore: Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf on Sunday said that LCs of raw materials and other products for export manufacturing should be opened on a priority basis and their containers should also be cleared.

He further said if this situation is not realized, there would be further reduction in the volume of exports which Pakistan cannot afford. He said that the participation in the 'Domotax' exhibition held in Germany was very successful and it was hoped that it would have a positive impact on the hand-woven carpet industry of Pakistan.

He expressed these views while addressing the meeting of the association on his return home after participating in the world exhibition held in Germany on Sunday. Senior central leader Abdul Latif Malik, Chairman of Carpet Training Institute Pervaiz Hanif, senior member Riaz Ahmed, Saeed Khan, Major (R) Akhtar Nazir, Shahid Hasan, Ejazur Rehman, Muhammad Akbar Malik and others participated in the meeting.

Usman Ashraf also informed the participants of the meeting about the appreciation received by Pakistani products in the "Domotax" exhibition and the meetings with the foreign delegates. He said that if the full patronage of the government was obtained, such international exhibitions could be utilized more and suggestions will also be sent to the government in this regard.

The participants of the meeting expressed concern over the non-opening of LCs and said that the shortage of imported chemicals used in the manufacture of carpets is affecting foreign orders and if this situation continues, the volume of exports will decrease further.

Usman Ashraf said that there is an appeal to the government that the LCs of non-perishable raw materials and other products for export manufacturing should be opened not only on a priority basis, but orders should also be given to clear the containers as soon as possible. He said if the government wanted to tackle the shortage of dollars in the country, it has to reduce the difficulties of export sectors so that we can provide timely orders and bring valuable foreign exchange to the country.