The government of Pakistan, through the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), has announced plans to expand the country’s leather and sporting goods sectors and is now seeking proposals from interested parties. The firms short-listed to participate in the project will work with business leaders, industry associations, government officials and other major stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic study based on benchmarking Pakistani companies with international players in the leather industry, as well as proposing a detailed sector development strategy and a roadmap for its implementation.

Successful firms will then work in partnership with SMEDA for a 12-month period in order to design and implement strategies to improve each sector's performance. The deadline for proposals is June 30.

According to SMEDA, the purpose of the project is to reposition the sectors in the global market in order to secure long-term competitiveness and improve exports, through public and private sector investment, with an emphasis on transferring skills, networks, tools, working methods, joint ventures and technical collaboration.

Pakistan exported finished leather goods worth $185.2 million in the first nine months of FY07 (July to March) compared with $208.8 million during FY06.