Turkish Consul General Ahmar Azubay and Director General Trade Development Authority (TDA) Rana Shehzad Ahmed inaugurated the 38th World Exhibition organized by the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMAEA) in Lahore, reports WealthPK. Importers from the United States, Turkey and European Union arrived in large numbers to participate in the three-day exhibition. Carpet Association Chairman Major (Retd) Akhtar Nazir, Senior Vice Chairman Naeem Sajid, Vice Chairman Ijazur Rehman, senior central leader Abdul Latif Malik, Senior Executive Member Riaz Ahmed, Usman Ashraf, Saeed Khan and Akbar Malik along with others manufacturers and exporters associated with the woven carpet industry were also present. The participants showed keen interest in the extremely high quality and beautifully designed carpet products displayed at various stalls.

Congratulating the exhibition organizers, Turkish Consul General Ahmar Azubay said such international exhibitions will definitely boost Pakistan's handmade carpet industry. “Pakistan's hand-made carpets have unique recognition all over the world due to their quality and beautiful designs,” he said, adding that such exhibitions prove to be an effective means of advertising and marketing the products of a country. Director General Trade Development Authority Rana Shahzad Ahmed welcomed the holding of the exhibition and said it will prove beneficial for the industry. He said the Trade Development Authority took great measures in collaboration with exporters to promote Pakistani products and exports. Major (retd) Akhtar Nazir said the industry of hand-woven carpets currently faced very unfavourable conditions and efforts had been made to promote the industry through international exhibitions.

He said the government should not only provide concessions and facilities in various areas to increase carpet exports, but also provide patronage, which will create employment opportunities and enable Pakistan to earn valuable foreign exchange through exports. Later Ahmar Azubay and Rana Shahzad Ahmed visited various stalls and appreciated the high quality and designs of the handmade carpet products.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk