ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s electric fan industry has urged the government to revisit its export policy for key raw materials such as copper and aluminum, warning that unrestricted exports in raw form are undermining domestic value-added manufacturing and limiting the sector’s growth potential.
The development came during a high-level meeting on Monday between Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb and representatives of the electric fan industry, including members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association (PEFMA). The discussions focused on sectoral challenges, export potential, and avenues for government support.
According to an official statement, Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sector-specific consultations following his recent engagement with the business community at FPCCI Lahore. He highlighted the importance of understanding operational constraints and facilitating growth through targeted measures.
Industry representatives drew attention to structural and policy-related issues affecting production, particularly the availability and usage of copper and aluminum. They emphasized that excessive exports of these inputs in raw form are impacting domestic value addition, urging a balanced approach to promote local manufacturing.
The discussion also covered SME liquidity challenges, including delayed tax refunds, export facilitation mechanisms, and tariff structures on imported inputs. The finance minister acknowledged these concerns and noted that improving coordination with financial institutions is critical for scaling up production.
Representatives highlighted that Pakistan’s electric fan sector is a fully indigenous industry with approximately 300 manufacturers concentrated in Gujrat and Gujranwala. The sector provides around 40,000 direct jobs and over 150,000 indirect jobs, maintaining strong value addition while supporting exports to the Middle East and Africa.
A key focus of the meeting was the industry’s transition toward energy-efficient DC fan technology, with the capacity to support large-scale replacement of conventional fans, potentially reducing electricity consumption nationwide. Aurangzeb stressed that policy consistency, competitiveness, and scale are essential for sustainable export growth.
Access to finance for capacity expansion, promotion of energy-efficient technologies, and enhanced market access were discussed as vital steps for improving sector competitiveness. Aurangzeb encouraged continuous engagement between industry stakeholders and government departments to refine forward-looking proposals.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, senior officials from the Finance Division, the Federal Board of Revenue, and other relevant departments, alongside industry representatives including Nabeel Ahmed Ilyas (Chairman PEFMA), M. Azhar Aslam (Chairman Export Committee PEFMA), Yesir Ihsan (Director Pak Fans), Imad Rafiq (Director Royal Fans), and M. Faisal Afzal (CEO Super Asia Group).
The government’s commitment to promoting industrial growth, energy efficiency, and sustainable export policies is expected to create a stronger framework for Pakistan’s electric fan manufacturing sector.
