Sardar Ghani elected PHMA Chairman

LAHORE: Sardar Usman Ghani has been elected as Central Chairman of Pakistan Hardware Merchants Association (PHMA) on Monday while Ahmad Dawood became the Chairman of northern zone of the association.

The PHMA, a leading representative body of the country's housewares and hardware sector, elected Sardar Usman Ghani as its leader for the second time.

The newly elected Executive Committee Members are: Sardar Usman Ghani, Sheikh Ahmed Dawood, Zeshan Khalil, Sheikh Sikandar Riaz, Mohammad Waseem, Mian Taha Zamir, Syed Tariq Rashid (Karachi), Kashif Hanif Qadri (Karachi), Nadeem Ahmed Kushtiwala (Karachi), Waseem Uzzafar Qadari (Karachi), Shoukat Ismail (Karachi) and Hafiz Mansoor Ahmad(Karachi).

Talking to the media, Sardar Usman Ghani said that he had a four-pronged strategy for the local hardware sector to cope with tough economic conditions. At first, he said, the local hardware sector should focus on exports targeting untraditional markets such as Africa and Central Asia.

Hardware exports can provide an invaluable source of diversifying Pakistan's narrow export base mainly involving items such as cotton and textile, leather, rice, sports, surgical and processed raw materials, he added.

Secondly, the local hardware sector must promote research
and development to produce better quality goods cost effectively, with changing demand trends and how to access new markets, Ghani said.

He said the industry must invest in technology and manpower, as it is essential for both innovation and workforce productivity. Leading firms in the local hardware sector must launch joint ventures with relevant global champions to be more productive. (APP)