Cottage industry and handicrafts play key role in the economies. Mian Kashif

LAHORE: Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Furniture Council Mian Kashif Ashfaq Thursday said that traditional cottage industries and handicrafts continue to play an important role in the economies of all Asian countries.
Talking to a students delegation Department of Journalism ,School of Communication Studies Punjab university led by its head Prof Dr Bushra H Rehman, he said they not only constitute major manufacturing activities but also often the available means to provide additional employment and raise the living standards of rural dwellers. He said cottage industry play a surprising large role in improving a nation’s economic standing.
He said cottage industry have faced many challenges over the ages from,at the time,industrial revolution and now globalisation.Most importantly,they generate gainful non agriculture based employment for those who can’t find jobs elsewhere he added.He said in addition to general abject poverty alleviation,developing cottage industries is an approach that can boost the rural economy and diversify its production.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq said cottage industry clusters generate employment,local capacity and collective power for small entrepreneurs.He said in Pakistan,cottage or household industries hold an important position in rural set-up .He said many contemporary industries that currently operate in factories were once cottage industries before the industrial revolution.He said cottage and small scale industries are labour intensive and provide job to 80% of industrial labour force.
He said these are also considered to be engine of growth in most of the countries in the world. He said their greatest advantage is that even the women and the old in the family can usefully utilise their leisure besides helping in equitable distribution of wealth.He said unfortunately despite best efforts poverty seems to be increasing in the developing countries.
Mian Kashif said modernisation in cottage industry is badly needed to produce qualitative products to meet the international standards globally mandatory for export.He said proper finishing of products is one of most important factor which always mattered a lot in boosting exports.He said if cottage industry is provided production loans on easy terms and conditions,proper guidance of marketing
and better return of their products, can bring economic revolution in Pakistan because it’s backbone of rural economy.
He said study tour of future journalists will help a lot build confidence and have first hand knowledge about the working of organisations of public and private sectors. Dr Waqar Ch,senior visiting faculty was also present on the occasion.
Later he responded to question answer session and briefed about the working of council and its contribution in promoting cottage industry on self help basis.
Dr Bushra H Rehman expressed her gratitude to Mian Kashif Ashfaq for meaningful presentation which she added will enrich the knowledge of students and better understanding.