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Hand-knotted carpet exports fetch Rs 9.94m in 1998-99

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: During 1998-99 hand-knotted carpet exports from Pakistan reached a new record level of Rs 9,940 million as compared with Rs 8,370 million in 1997-98, denoting a rise of 18 percent.

According to the latest millennium issue of Carpet Review, an international trade journal on oriental carpets, carpet exports in the first six months of 1999-2000 rose to Rs 6,000 million as against Rs 4,500 million, in the corresponding period last year. The volume of carpet exports during the current year may go up to Rs. 12 billion- the highest ever in the Pakistan's history.

According to the destination-wise statistics compiled by the journal, the United States with Rs 4,180 million, once again emerged as the biggest importer of Pakistani carpets, accounting for over 40 percent of the total export. With Rs 1,530 million worth of exports Germany stood second followed by France with Rs. 540 million, UK Rs. 480 million, Italy Rs. 410 million and Japan with Rs. 410 million. Other major markets, which imported Pakistani carpets worth more than Rs. 200 million, included Canada, Singapore and Switzerland.

Analyzing the trends in the international market, it is estimated that supported by new classical design carpets and matching fashion colours developed by the industry, Pakistan carpet exports are on the upswing and will record major gains in the coming years. The magazine revealed that with better marketing and government support in the field of production and design development, the Pakistan carpet export might touch the magic figure of Rs 15 billion.

On the basis of a survey conducted by the Review, among exporters, manufactures, importers, dealers, retailers, contractors and weavers, Abbas Corporation has been adjudged 'Exporter of the Century.'

The top carpet exporters of Pakistan for the year 1999 listed in the latest issue of the Carpet Review include Abbas Corporation, Latif Enterprises, Jamal Rug Weavers, Lahore Carpet Manufacturing Co. Usman Carpets, Pak Shalimar Carpets, Imran Brothers, Asiatic, Hill Top and Haq Enterprise.