PTA asks for support for APLF participants
The Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) has asked the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to reconsider its request of a 50% subsidy to participants of the APLF Exhibition, Hong Kong, to help promote Pakistan’s leather industry.
In 2011, 59 Pakistan-based companies participated in the fair. The PTA’s letter states that “due to the recession in Europe it is important that we get maximum share from Asia, and APLF is the most important event in the region”. Pakistan is having good relations with China, and APLF is the best event to approach Chinese customers for promotion of leather exports, it added.
The letter states that 95% export of leather sector is through participant companies of APLF and the PTA needs support from the government to promote leather sector exports.
“For promotion of leather exports, the government has no other incentive for the sector,” said former PTA chairman Agha Saidian.
The PTA currently has a list of 13 international fairs which can be cut down to provide 50% subsidy on important fairs like APLF, Lineapelle Fair Italy and Shoe & Leather Fair Guangzhou, China.
“Under these circumstances, the PTA has requested the TDAP to reconsider the case of subsidy and allow 50% subsidy on space and discount on sample freight, air travel and other charges as allowed in Bangladesh and Turkey,” Mr Saidian said.
