The Carpet Training Institute (CTI) has submitted a proposal to the Punjab government aimed at empowering rural women and reviving the handmade carpet export sector. This initiative, in line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, seeks to integrate women into the economic structure and provide them with new opportunities for financial growth.
In an important meeting held today under the chairmanship of CTI Chairman Ijaz Rehman, the economic and social benefits of the project were discussed. Rehman highlighted the importance of aligning this initiative with the Chief Minister’s mission of women’s economic development and inclusion.
Carpet weaving, a trade traditionally dominated by rural women, is at the center of this proposal. CTI plans to provide free looms of various sizes in districts and tehsils of Punjab, equipping women with the necessary tools for success. Additionally, the proposal includes practical training in weaving, designing, and finishing techniques. Women completing the program will be provided with capital to start small-scale production units from home, paving the way for the establishment of formal businesses.
The Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has pledged to assist in marketing these products, ensuring women receive fair prices. Importantly, trained women will have the autonomy to sell their creations in the open market without restrictions.
Graduates of the program will receive certification and ongoing support in various technical aspects of the trade from CTI Lahore and PCMEA.
Rehman highlighted the importance of the handmade carpet industry for Pakistan’s export economy. Despite historical success, the industry has faced challenges such as rising production costs and a shortage of skilled labor, leading to a significant decline in exports. He recalled the prosperous era of the 1970s and 1980s when Punjab Small Industries Corporation’s training centers helped boost exports to $250 million.
The proposal stresses the need for collaboration with institutions like the Punjab Small Industries Corporation, TEVTA, Punjab Skills Development Fund, and the Women Development Department to expedite project implementation.
This initiative promises to revive Punjab’s carpet weaving sector, create employment, increase rural income, reduce poverty, and contribute to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.