PCMEA Raises Alarm Over Delayed Funds for 42nd International Handmade Carpet Exhibition 

By Dr. Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

The Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has expressed grave concern over the continued delay in the approval of funds for the 42nd International Exhibition of Handmade Carpets, scheduled to be held in October 2026. The association has urged authorities to immediately release the required funds, warning that further delays could seriously jeopardize preparations for the prestigious global event and hinder early outreach to international buyers.
The concerns were formally raised during an association meeting chaired by PCMEA Chairman Mian Ateeq-ur-Rehman. The meeting was attended by Patron-in-Chief Abdul Latif Malik, Vice Chairman Riaz Ahmad, Carpet Training Institute Chairperson Ejaz-ur-Rehman, Major (Retd.) Akhtar Nazir, Khawaja Mir Mudassar, Saeed Khan, Saad Ejaz-ur-Rehman, and other members.
Following detailed consultations, participants officially finalized the dates for the three-day exhibition, which will now be held from October 6 to 8, 2026.
Addressing the meeting, Mian Ateeq-ur-Rehman and Vice Chairman Riaz Ahmad warned that Pakistan’s exports are already experiencing a downward trend, and rather than providing relief and incentives to manufacturers and exporters, unnecessary hurdles continue to be imposed. They stressed that uncertainty surrounding the exhibition has created serious anxiety within the industry, particularly given that foreign buyers attending the event typically finalize trade deals worth millions of dollars.
The association underscored that the immediate release of funds is critical to facilitate hotel bookings for international guests and to extend timely hospitality packages — both essential for ensuring a successful turnout of foreign buyers.
The meeting was also informed that 18 leading Pakistani exporters have already registered to participate in an international exhibition scheduled in China in July. However, the subsidy under the 80/20 formula from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has yet to be disbursed, raising fears that Pakistan could miss a significant opportunity to showcase its products on a major global platform.
The stall fee for the Chinese exhibition has been set at $1,200 per stall, excluding travel and freight expenses. Exporters cautioned that the prolonged delay in subsidy release is making participation increasingly unviable.
The association further called on the government to promptly announce subsidy support for upcoming trade exhibitions in Türkiye and Germany, allowing manufacturers and exporters adequate time to begin advance preparations for these important international trade events.