The secretary of Pakistan's Footwear Manufacturers Association Arshad Ayyaz has confirmed the European Union (EU) removed import duty of 5.6% on leather upper shoes and 11.4% on textile upper shoes as of January, 2002. However, the move has prompted calls for similar reductions in related sectors such as leather goods, which are not covered by the agreement.

The former Chairman of the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) Farrukh H. Sheikh has demanded the ministry of commerce pursue the case for leather goods to be included in the duty waiver, pointing out that Pakistan's exports of leather garments and leather goods such as purses, wallets, gloves etc. are far behind those of its neighbours.

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