Supply shortages of aluminium and copper cause adverse impact on fan manufacturers in Pakistan: PEFMA

The Chairman of Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association (PEFMA), Fahad Rafiq, pointed out on Friday, December 18, that manufacturers of fans, utensils, electrical wires, car parts, kitchenware, die casting, machining, and aluminium window frames had been facing shortages of aluminium and copper due to a sudden spike in exports of these materials, resulting in scarce supply and price surge in the domestic market.

The association noted that copper scrap export still has a 25 per cent Regulatory Duty (RD), but there is none on the export of aluminium ingots and scrap.

In response to this, the advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, Abdur Razak Dawood, assured the representatives of PEFMA that problems being faced would be examined and resolved. He advised the representatives to explore high-end markets and acquire certification from the International Certification agencies to be able to enter the high-end markets.

Razak Dawood also urged the fan industry to invest a part of its export earnings in Research and Development. He said the support of the Government would be provided for the promotion of the industry and demanded the representatives of the association to recommend professional experts for the Fan Export Council. The council will include all the related stakeholders and will develop a long-term vision for the fan’s industry.

Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association also highlighted their concerns on the continued loss of competitiveness by the fan industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It requested the imposition of Regulatory Duty on aluminium ingot exports so that the export of fans, which is a value added product, does not suffer.