LAHORE – The Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has welcomed the State Bank’s decision to withdraw the penalty imposed on exporters for delayed repatriation of export proceeds, terming it a positive step towards promoting exports. The association further urged the government to remove other hurdles obstructing the growth of exports. In a meeting held at the Association’s office, PCMEA Chairman Mian Atiq-ur-Rehman and Vice Chairman Riaz Ahmad highlighted that the recent devastating floods have severely damaged the infrastructure related to hand-knotted carpet production in rural areas. They appealed to the government to initiate practical measures for the immediate rehabilitation of flood-affected communities once the water recedes.
The meeting was attended by Patron-in-Chief Abdul Latif Malik, Chairperson of the Carpet Training Institute Ijaz-ur-Rehman, senior member Usman Ashraf, Major (R) Akhtar Nazir, Saeed Khan, Saad-ur-Rehman, Faisal Saeed Khan, and others.
Participants welcomed the State Bank’s decision to retract its circular regarding penalties for delayed export proceeds, stating that this would provide much-needed relief to exporters, especially manufacturers and exporters of hand-knotted carpets. They pointed out that the closure of Indian maritime routes has led to significant changes in shipping paths, causing delays in the delivery of export orders and, consequently, in the receipt of export earnings. Mian Atiq-ur-Rehman and Riaz Ahmad emphasized that most skilled artisans involved in hand-knotted carpet making are based in various flood-affected districts of Punjab, and many have suffered severe damage to their homes and livelihoods. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to assessing the conditions of the affected artisans and providing every possible support for their rehabilitation. They also expressed hope that the government would soon announce a comprehensive relief package to ensure that these individuals can return to their homes and rebuild their lives. The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming International Exhibition of Hand-Knotted Carpets, scheduled to be held in October this year.
