The Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) said Pakistan’s exit from FATF grey list is a great step forward in rectifying past mistakes and moving into a future of growth and development. Senior Vice Chairman of the Association Usman Ashraf said, “now it will become a lot easier for the country to invite foreign direct investments. Pakistan has come out successful from the grey list of the FATF, which is a huge achievement. The significance of this feat will become clear to us in the coming months and years.

Pakistan had to give a lot of sacrifices in blood and bone to win the war on terror. Finally, Pakistan’s sacrifices have been acknowledged by the world.” He was addressing a meeting of the PCMEA, said a press release received by WealthPK. The PCMEA meeting was told that invitation letters will be sent forth to the participants and purchasers of Lahore International Carpet Exhibition in order to seek cooperation in the promotion of Pakistani exports in the international markets, now that Pakistan is out of the grey list.

International presence of the Pakistani industry will also be increased to make contact with potential buyers of Pakistani carpets. It will become easier for Pakistan to increase its carpet exports since a lot of restrictions on Pakistan’s trade with the outside world will now be lifted. Usman Ashraf demanded that all the issues faced by the industry should be solved at the earliest. If government support is available to the carpet industry, Pakistani exports will get a niche in the international market.

The government needs to create a business-friendly environment for the industry to operate and increase its exports. Chairperson of Carpet Training Institute (CTI) Parvez Hanif, PCMEA senior central leader Abdul Latif Malik, senior members Riaz Ahmed, Saeed Khan, Ejaz-ur-Rehman, Shahid Hassan and Akbar Malik, were also present at the meeting.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk