Pakistani minister holds talks with PTA
Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer recently visited the Pakistan Tanners’ Association (PTA) to discuss the main issues affecting the country’s leather sector.
PTA chairman Khurshid Alam told Mr Taseer that tanners are really struggling to stay afloat and that it needs immediate government help if the industry is to survive.
According to Mr Alam, Pakistan’s leather and leathergoods exports have fallen 30% in the last three years from $1.2 billion in 2006 to $863 million in 2009. Export volumes have fallen 18%.
He explained to Mr Taseer that one of the leather sector’s biggest problems is the illegal smuggling of live animals to Iran and Afghanistan. Mr Alam believes that around 100 trucks full of cattle are crossing into Iran and Afghanistan each day. With livestock levels already depleted following the devastating floods in the country, raw hides and skins are in short supply.
The chairman added that wet blue exports also need to be restricted. He advocated increasing export duties on wet blue to 50% and introducing minimum export prices.
Finally, Mr Alam urged the government to set up a leather ministry similar to the textile ministry that is already in operation.
