Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mian Kashif Ashfaq stated on Sunday that incentives alone would not suffice to enhance Pakistan’s exports unless deeper structural constraints are addressed and consistent economic policies are pursued without interruption. He made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the PFC Board of Directors.
Pragmatic Reforms and Collaboration Key
Ashfaq emphasized that with pragmatic reforms, improved ease of doing business, and close public-private sector collaboration, Pakistan could substantially increase its exports, strengthen economic stability, and generate significant employment opportunities. He urged the government to adopt a comprehensive export-led growth strategy focused on value addition, technological modernization, product diversification, and skill development.
Furniture Industry Potential
The PFC CEO highlighted that special attention should be given to promoting the furniture industry, which has immense potential to earn valuable foreign exchange due to its skilled craftsmanship and growing demand in international markets. He noted that the sector could become a major contributor to the national economy if supported appropriately.
Policy Consistency for Investor Confidence
Ashfaq stressed that long-term policy consistency is vital for restoring investors’ confidence and enabling exporters to make sustainable business and investment decisions. He added that frequent policy changes discourage industrial expansion and weaken export performance. According to him, a stable policy environment is essential for businesses to plan and invest with certainty.
Challenges Facing Exporters
He observed that despite Pakistan’s immense export potential, businesses continue to face multiple challenges, including high production costs, expensive energy, limited access to finance, cumbersome taxation, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory bottlenecks. Removing these barriers, he said, is essential to enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani products in global markets and place the country’s exports on a sustainable growth trajectory.
