Pakistan’s Carpet Exporters Ask Central Bank to Ease Export Procedures

By Muhammad Shahzad — Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: A delegation from the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) met officials of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to discuss problems faced by the country’s carpet export sector.

The six-member delegation, led by Chairman Mian Atiq-ur-Rehman, requested the SBP to tell all commercial banks to hold regular awareness sessions on new banking rules. They said exporters and bank staff both need clear guidance so export processes do not face delays.

SBP officials assured the delegation that their concerns would be reviewed and that steps would be taken to make export procedures easier.

In a separate meeting at the PCMEA office, the association’s leaders said they were working to revive Pakistan’s hand-knotted carpet industry. They discussed trade issues at the Torkham border and ways to improve the industry’s performance.

The leaders urged the government to help the sector by reducing production costs, ensuring skilled workers are available, and offering freight subsidies so Pakistani carpets remain competitive globally.

They also said that three major international carpet exhibitions will be held next year. They called these events a major opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its craftsmanship and increase export orders.