The Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (PLGMEA) has made a request to the government to distribute subsidies to the 12 Pakistani companies that will exhibit at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) in Hong Kong from March 28- 30.

Mr Fawad Ijaz Khan, advisor at PLGMEA, stated that the exhibitors who have regularly participated at the fair for many years receive a 50% subsidy from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Government of Pakistan to assist in the costs of participating. He said that the EPB should not lay down conditions for participation at Expo Pakistan 2006 which is to be held March 29 to April 2, and therefore clashes with APLF.

APLF 2006 was included in the EPB's final list of approved exhibitions for 2006-2007 and allocated to the PLGMEA.