Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PLGMEA) has expressed concern over the steep decline in leather-related exports due to continuous ignorance and lack of planning by the successive governments. This was expressed by PLGMEA's Chairman Syed Shujaat Ali, who recently held a meeting with the Finance Minister Asad Umar along with top boss of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Former Chairman PLGMEA, Fawad Ilyas Khan, Ch Ahmed Zulfiqar Hayat of Leather Field, Sialkot and senior Vice Chairman (Central) Sh. Attique-ur-Rehman Ratra were also represented the Association. "Leather industry will further plummet and potentially lose its share if necessary actions were not taken, keeping in view how other countries have significantly improved their product portfolio in leather industry," said Syed Shujaat.
According to him, the association had an opportunity to share its stance and problems with Finance Minister Asad Umar, however, his response was rather ambiguous and didn't necessarily answer the situation, leaving PLGMEA diffident of their situation.
He further stated that the government contradicts its intent of increasing exports when it doesn't take action as per requests or requirements of local exporters. Chairman PLGMEA stated that the government has to facilitate the exporters of leather garments and leather goods because it is an industry with an immense potential.
"Other countries have improved their facilities due to which competition has become fierce' which puts Pakistan at risk to lose its future business to new players in the leather game," he maintained. Chairman PLGMEA expressed disappointment on behalf of Pakistan Leather Garment Association's 450 members, saying that despite voicing their concerns for the unsuitable business conditions in Pakistan, the government seems to ignore these concerns.
As a result the repercussions of such actions are what are bringing the whole economy down, he said, adding leather industry has historically been Pakistan's second largest industry but has witnessed a constant decline in recent years. "Some of us take a flight to Islamabad from different locations, and it is sad that we return to our cities without any concrete commitment on the issue tabled before the governments' economic team," he regretted.
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