Pakistan leather garment exporters push for more concessions
The Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PLGMEA) has presented a round of proposals to the country’s Ministry of Commerce for inclusion in trade policy for the financial year 2003-2004.
These include a ban on the export of live animals, the imposition of a 20% duty on the export of semi-finished & finished leather and SRO 410 being made permanent. The proposal further calls for lifting of import duties that apply to export-oriented manufacturers and the reclassification of fox furs as trimmings.
The Association’s other recommendations include:
- The exemption of leather garments from the 5% export development surcharge.
- The lifting of the limits that apply to import and export of leather garment samples.
- Blanket permission of 5% on last year's export performance should be given to exporters for importing accessories used in Leather Garment production. DTRE Rules should be made separate & optional for Sales Tax & Custom duties.
- The creation of an independent ‘Leather Board’, funded by the Government from European Development Funds.
In making the proposals, Association chairman Mr. Fawad Ijaz Khan, said he was confident the measures would prove effective in helping the industry out its present crisis.
