Leaders of Pakistan’s electric fan industry today voiced serious concerns to the Finance Minister regarding the escalating export of essential raw materials, such as copper and aluminium, which they argue is undermining domestic value-added manufacturing. The issue was a key point of discussion during a virtual meeting held on Monday between industry representatives and Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.
Senator Aurangzeb initiated the dialogue, reaffirming the government”s pledge to conduct targeted consultations with specific sectors to address their unique operational challenges and foster growth, recalling a recent engagement with the business community in Lahore.
Industry representatives, led by the Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association (PEFMA) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), outlined the sector”s considerable economic footprint. They highlighted its status as a fully indigenous industry based primarily in Gujrat and Gujranwala, providing approximately 40,000 direct and over 150,000 indirect employment opportunities.
A significant portion of the discussion centred on the industry”s shift towards energy-efficient DC fan technology. The delegation asserted their readiness to support a nationwide replacement of conventional fans, a move with substantial potential for reducing national electricity consumption.
Despite the industry”s capacity, the Finance Minister acknowledged that accelerating the adoption of these technologies faces hurdles. He pointed to implementation gaps, a need for greater public awareness, and improved coordination with financial institutions as critical areas requiring attention.
The matter of securing adequate financing for expanding production capacity, particularly to meet the potential demand from energy-saving initiatives, was also tabled. The minister acknowledged the necessity of facilitating investment and stated that existing financial frameworks would be reassessed to better serve the sector”s requirements.
Elaborating on structural issues, the fan manufacturers emphasised the need for a balanced policy on raw materials. They argued that a policy favouring the export of unprocessed copper and aluminium over their use in domestic value-added goods needed reconsideration to support local industry.
Further deliberations covered liquidity challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including the processing of tax refunds, export facilitation mechanisms, and tariff structures on imported components. The Finance Minister noted that ongoing reforms are aimed at rationalising input costs.
In his remarks, Senator Aurangzeb stressed that sustainable export growth depends on a combination of competitiveness, scale, and consistent policy. He encouraged the industry to continue its engagement with government bodies to develop practical, forward-looking proposals.
Concluding the session, the Finance Minister reiterated the government”s dedication to supporting export-oriented and value-added manufacturing sectors, assuring that direct dialogue with industry stakeholders would remain a cornerstone of economic policy.
The high-level meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Finance Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior officials. The industry was represented by key figures including PEFMA Chairman Mr. Nabeel Ahmed Ilyas and directors from leading manufacturers such as Pak Fans, Royal Fans, and Super Asia Group.