Pakistan’s electric fan industry has called on the government to reassess its export policy on key raw materials such as copper and aluminium, warning that rising exports in raw form are weakening domestic manufacturing and limiting growth.

This issue was highlighted by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and representatives from the industry, along with members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association.

Aurangzeb referred to his earlier interaction with the business community at FPCCI Lahore and said the government is continuing sector-specific consultations to better understand industry requirements.

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The panel highlighted structural and policy concerns, particularly around the availability and use of copper and aluminium, noting that increased exports of these inputs in raw form are affecting domestic manufacturing.

The meeting also discussed liquidity challenges, delays in tax refunds and export and tariff structures. Representatives noted that the electric fan industry is mostly based in Gujrat and Gujranwala, with approximately 40,000 direct jobs and over 150,000 indirect jobs maintaining a value addition profile. 

They also talked about the export markets, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, and discussed recent updates in exports. Their shift towards energy-efficient DC fan technology is getting support from manufacturers as they support large-scale replacement of conventional fans, which could contribute to lower electricity consumption. 

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Aurangzeb responded saying that while a policy framework exists for such initiatives, progress depends on strong contributions from financial institutions, which should be addressed immediately to accelerate adoption. 

Access to finance for capacity expansion was another key topic, especially in the context of scaling production to meet potential demand from energy efficiency programmes. Aurangzeb said financing frameworks would be reviewed to better align with industry needs.

He also noted that public debt is currently at 70.7 per cent of GDP, adding that ongoing reforms are aimed at rationalising input costs and improving the business environment. 

The discussion extended to opportunities for improving market access and enhancing competitiveness in the electrical appliances sector through targeted policy measures and innovation.The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior officials from the Finance Division, Federal Board of Revenue and other relevant departments. Industry participants included Nabeel Ahmed Ilyas, M. Azhar Aslam, Yesir Ihsan, Imad Rafiq and M. Faisal Afzal, along with other representatives from the sector.

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