Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has congratulated leather goods exporters for the increase in exports over the last year. He said, "It is gratifying to note that the export of both leather goods and rice and have crossed the $1 billion mark during financial year July-June (2005-06)." However, he also emphasised the importance of widening export markets for the sector, particularly in China and Japan.

The Prime Minister has directed the Planning Commission to devise a plan to increase the country's exports from the present 13% of GDP to 15%. Total exports from July 2005 – June 2006 stood at $14.9 billion, a 16.35% increase over the previous year and the leather sector showed significant growth.