Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan has announced government plans to provide direct and indirect incentives to the footwear and leather sectors under the new trade policy for 2007/08. The move is aimed at improving exports in these sectors, the target for which has been raised to from $18.7 billion in 2006/2007 to $19.2 billion for 2007/08.

The incentives will include continued support in funding research and development, and assistance in establishing in-house effluent treatment plants. 

The government will also support the establishment of more Combined Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in export-oriented industrial zones in collaboration with provincial and local governments as well as the private sector.