Pakistan seeks five-year plan
Pakistan's leather sector has demanded a five-year leather policy in line with the textile policy that is already in place.
Chairman of the Pakistan Tanners’ Association, Agha Saiddain, believes the measure would put an end to the decline in leather exports seen since the onset of the global economic downturn. He believes such a plan could even cause leather and leathergoods exports to rise dramatically if the necessary incentives are included.
According to the chairman, Pakistan’s leather exports fell 29% in the financial year 2008-09, while India, China and Bangladesh have all been given government help in order to prevent this.
He believes leather exporters should be given access to refinancing at a lower rate of 5% and that they should be able to import tanning and footwear machinery duty free. Other incentives should include grants for small companies and financial assistance for setting up treatment plants for tanneries.
