Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb today held a virtual meeting with a group of representatives from the electric fan industry, led by members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association (PEFMA), to discuss sectoral challenges, export potential, and avenues for policy support.
Welcoming the participants, the Finance Minister recalled his recent engagement with the business community at FPCCI Lahore and reiterated the Government’s commitment to undertaking focused consultations with individual sectors to better understand their operational landscape and support their growth.
The group provided an overview of the structure and economic significance of the fan industry, highlighting that it is a fully indigenous manufacturing sector with around 300 manufacturers concentrated in Gujrat and Gujranwala. The industry contributes significantly to employment, with approximately 40,000 direct and over 150,000 indirect jobs, and maintains a strong value addition profile. Members also shared insights into the sector’s export footprint, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, while noting recent trends in export performance.
Discussions also focused on the sector’s transition towards energy-efficient DC fan technology. The group highlighted its capacity and readiness to support large-scale replacement of conventional fans, with potential implications for reducing electricity consumption. In this context, the Finance Minister noted that while the policy framework is in place, greater traction would require enhanced awareness and improved coordination with financial institutions. He emphasized the importance of addressing implementation gaps to accelerate adoption.
Access to finance for capacity expansion was also discussed, particularly in the context of scaling up production to meet potential demand under energy efficiency initiatives. The Finance Minister underscored the importance of facilitating investment in productive capacity and noted that existing financing frameworks would be reviewed to better align with sectoral requirements.
During the discussion, members of the group drew attention to a number of structural and policy-related matters affecting the sector, particularly in relation to the availability and utilization of key raw materials such as copper and aluminum. It was noted that increased exports of these inputs in raw form have had implications for domestic value-added manufacturing, and the need for a balanced approach that promotes higher value addition within the country was emphasized.
Matters relating to SME liquidity, including the processing of tax refunds, export facilitation mechanisms, and tariff structures on inputs, were also deliberated. The Finance Minister emphasized that ongoing reforms are aimed at rationalizing input costs and improving the overall business environment, while encouraging the industry to share specific details for further review.
The discussion further touched upon opportunities for expanding market access and enhancing competitiveness of the electrical appliances sector through targeted policy support and innovation.
In his remarks, the Finance Minister underscored that sustainable export growth is contingent upon a combination of competitiveness, scale, and policy consistency. He noted that while taxation remains an important element, access to finance, energy efficiency, and market development are equally critical to strengthening industrial performance. He encouraged continued engagement between the industry and relevant government stakeholders to refine practical and forward-looking proposals.
The Finance Minister also highlighted the importance of promoting energy-efficient technologies and noted that improving awareness and implementation of existing initiatives would be essential to achieving intended outcomes.
Concluding the meeting, the Finance Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting value-added manufacturing and export-oriented sectors. He emphasized that sustained dialogue with industry stakeholders will remain central to policy formulation and economic planning.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior officials of the Finance Division, Federal Board of Revenue, and relevant departments. The industry was represented by Mr. Nabeel Ahmed Ilyas (Chairman PEFMA), Mr. M. Azhar Aslam (Chairman Export Committee PEFMA), Mr. Yesir Ihsan (Director Pak Fans), Mr. Imad Rafiq (Director Royal Fans), and Mr. M. Faisal Afzal (CEO Super Asia Group), along with other representatives of the sector.
