LAHORE
A meeting was organized between the delegations of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) with the support of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to understand the difficulties faced by the exporters of handmade carpets and their concerns.
The association was represented by Chairman Naeem Khokhar and Vice Chairman Zafar Idris Soleja while Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf, Senior Central Leader Abdul Latif Malik, Chairperson of Carpet Training Institute Ijazur Rahman, Senior Leader Riaz Ahmed, Saeed Khan and others joined via video link.
The association informed the State Bank about the demands regarding about provisions on penalties and deductions on payments made after 60 days by State Bank officials, restoration of special status of 270 days credit condition for handloom carpets and increase the delivery time limit of CAD shipment from 45 days to 60 days.
It was further informed that unutilized advance payment also continued to be a problem whereas earlier the system allowed adjustment which has now been done away with. The association also demanded that instructions should be issued to allow adjustment of these unutilized advances or permanently cancel their status as advances.
Carpet Association Chairman Naeem Khokhar and Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf said that the State Bank officials have listened patiently to our problems and concerns and have assured that these issues will be resolved.
They said that the exporters of handmade carpets are trying to increase exports despite the fluctuations in the value of the dollar, the enormous increase in production costs and other difficulties.
“Government and other related institutions including State Bank have always extended their support for which they are grateful. However, sometimes the issuance of policies and circulars without consulting the stakeholders leads to difficulties and complications,” they added.
They said that they expect that a long-term policy will be made in consultation with stakeholders for the promotion of exports because the exporters of hand-woven carpets are not only a source of valuable foreign exchange for the country but also providing employment to millions of people.
