PTA dissatisfied with Trade Policy 2005-06
Mr S.M. Naseem, Chairman of Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), has expressed his dissatisfaction with Trade Policy 2004-05, announced by the Commerce Minister on
1. To allow duty free imports of all types of tanning machines and spare parts, including locally manufactured ones, to increase competitiveness of quality production in the world market.
2. To subsidise up to 70% of the cost of setting up of Waste Water Treatment Plants in individual tanneries/factories from EDF (Enterprise Development Facility).
3. To stop the recovery of export development surcharge from leather exporters for at least for three years, until a tangible improvement of their business is recorded.
4. To ban export as well as the smuggling of livestock to meet the shortage of hides and skins in the country.
5. To request the EU and other countries to abolish import duty on finished leather exported from
PTA has also demanded the withdrawal of sales tax on import on raw hides and skins, as well as on wet blue hides and skins. Its chairman has said that leather exporters are fully geared up towards producing best quality finished leather and leather products for exports to international markets. They are also said to be engaged in export oriented business activities that stimulate the foreign exchange. PTA is hopeful of achieving export target for leather sector above $1 billion in 2004-05, yet this can only materialise if the government extends due facilities and incentives to the tanning industry, according to Mr S. M. Naseem.
He has also repeated its request for the payment of balance of Rs.106.15 million, approximately $1.82 million, out of the committed fund of Rs.334.00 million from EDF, towards the completion of Combined Effluent Treatment Plant at Korangi Karachi, as little time is left to meet pollution control challenges of the WTO regime, effective from
