Carpet exporters urge tariff relief to save industry

The Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has appealed to Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan for urgent relief from customs tariffs threatening the survival of the sector, according to a press release issued Thursday. A delegation led by Patron-in-Chief Abdul Latif Malik, Senior Vice Chairman Usman Ashraf, and Vice Chairman Riaz Ahmed highlighted the challenges crippling the industry and sought immediate government intervention. During the meeting, Abdul Latif Malik detailed the intricate production process of Pakistani carpets, where raw materials are sent to Afghanistan, and unfinished carpets are brought back to Pakistan for final processing before being exported globally. Despite the fact that 99% of these carpets being exported, manufacturers are unable to avail the benefit of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) customs duty exemptions, depriving them of critical export incentives.