Gilani supports industrial status for furniture craft 

      
ISLAMABAD, Nov 5 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday terming artisans as the backbone to country’s economy, assured his government’s full support to provide industrial status to the furniture craft.Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Furniture Expo 2010 (FExpo) at Pakistan National Council of Arts here, the Prime Minister said the government would impart modern skills to the furniture craftsmen to help their products get access to international markets.Gilani agreed in principle for duty waiver to the raw material to furniture making, encouragement of women entrepreneurs and setting up furniture display centres in the country.
He asked the minister for Industries Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani to move a summary and said he would support it. He said furniture was a global 300 billion US dollars industry, of which 100 billion was for the export market. He regretted that Pakistan had only one percent share that could be increased through prudent measures.
The Prime Minister mentioned the furniture prepared in Chiniot, Gujrat, Silianwala and Peshawar which had a global recognition, and said their creators were contributing great to the country’s economy.
He said a roadmap for the promotion of furniture craft had been prepared which also included the efforts to save Sheesham wood and provide it to the furniture makers at cheaper rates.
He said setting up of Common Facility Craft Management Centre and Khushhal Karigar project were on cards to provide vocational training to the youth in furniture-making. Such institutions would not only teach modern skills to the craftsmen but also give them a stipend of Rs 4000, he said.
Gilani said 72 solar wood drying plants would be set up in different parts of the country, out of which 10 had already started working.
He said Shaheeds Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave voice to the masses and empowered them economically.
He said his government was committed to provide best possible vocational training and facilities for the working classes to ensure they stand on their feet. The government’s labour policy was reflective of the protection of rights of workers, he added.
The Prime Minister pointed that acts of terrorism had negatively impacted the economy but said the strong resolve of the government and the people had foiled all nefarious designs.
He said the government was providing free fertilizer and seeds to the farmers in flood affected areas to start rehabilitation process.
Gilani expressed satisfaction over the standard of furniture at the Furniture Expo 2010, adding that it was of international quality.
Mir Hazar Khan Bajarani said the FExpo was initiated with the support of the USAID and was being fully encouraged by the ministry of Industries.
He regretted that Pakistan lagged far behind in this vital sector but hoped that with the government’s encouragement it could flourish and earn foreign exchange for the country.
Chairperson FExpo Yasmin Rehman appreciated the PrimeMinister’s encouragement to women furniture entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister earlier visited the stalls at FExpo and evinced keen interest in the items put on display.