Dr Marco Pintus, Italian trade commissioner in Pakistan, said that Italy exported textile, leather, leather chemicals, shoe accessories and other items worth €460 million to Pakistan in 2005 while exports from Islamabad to Milan stood at around €440 million.

He also noted that the Pakistan shoe industry can export more shoes to Italy following the imposition of anti-dumping duties by European Union on China and Vietnam shoe exporters.

About 50 Italian textile machinery manufactures will exhibit or be represented at the upcoming IGATEX Pakistan 2006.