'Gloves industry playing instrumental role in strengthening economy'

Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA) Chairman Dr Shumail Saeed Barlas has said that gloves industry was playing an instrumental role in strengthening the national economy contributing $250 million to the national exchequer.
Talking to reporters here on Saturday he added that the leather gloves and leather products industry was 100 percent export-oriented and valuable foreign exchange earner for the country. Dr Shumail said that global market trends were changing sharply and in the presence of stereotype and conventional production modes the industry could not prosper and compete the market.
In order to bring innovation in leather gloves and goods production the research and development (R&D) had become more imperative keeping in view the present scenario of the global market, he said.
The Chairman PGMEA said that under WTO regime Pakistani exporters were required to meet the compliance of the issues like Environment, Standards, Quality Control and Quality Valuation adding that leather gloves industry had adopted various steps in this regard as compared to other industries.
There were bright opportunities for leather industry through the diversification and converting the export of leather which was more than 15 million square meters into value added products and this practice could help increase volume of foreign investment drastically, he was of the opinion.
Dr Shumail said that it was vivid fact that government was making adequate efforts for bringing industrial revolution for ensuring strong industrial base and many a step had already been taken in this regard.
With the due support of the government he said leather products industry could pave the way on penetrating more effectively in conventional markets as well as to had swift accesses to new markets. Dr Shumail said that PGMEA was trying its utmost for obtaining 6 percent R$D for leather and leather products sector and in this regard the PGMEA was pursuing.
The establishment of Product Display Centres and showrooms, foreign sales offices, exploring Southern Hemisphere, warehousing facilities, image building and innovation in leather etc were advantages of R&D, he added.
Dr Shumail pinpointed that due to high tariff of electricity, Sui gas and bank charges as well as non-availability of leather and non-availability of R&D facilities this industry was suffering adversely.
He said that Leather Product Development Institute (LPDI) was producing trained work force for the leather industry while Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) rendering highly laudable service for reducing the pollution load with the introduction of cleaner production techniques tanning and leather industry.
Both the institutions were being run by Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA) and were successfully catering the needs of the industry he said.
He urged upon the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Commerce Ministry that necessary funds should be granted for initiating the R&D and for the smooth running of Leather Products Development Institute (LPDI) and Cleaner Production Centre (CPC). Expressing his confidence that high ups of EPB and Commerce Ministry would consider on these issues and for the survival of the leather industry.