Chairman, Pakistan Leather Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PLGMEA), Fawad Ijaz Khan said that Pakistan would be the focus country of this year's APLF, the world's biggest leather fair, scheduled to be held from March 29 to April 1, in Hong Kong.
In statement issued on Wednesday, he opined that Pakistani exhibitors had an excellent opportunity to get benefits by participating in the said fair.
He mentioned that the upcoming fair was the world's most significant and mega-event pertaining to leather and leather made-ups, where about 70 Pakistanis would participate.
This year Pakistan would enjoy exclusive benefits and excellent opportunity to get more business and building the image of the country, he added.
Fawad Ijaz pointed out that PLGMEA members would display new qualities of leather and latest fashion designs during fashion shows in the fair. Buyers and visitors would be able to witness high quality selections prepared by Pakistani exporters, he hoped.
The PLGMEA chairman appreciated the efforts of the Export Promotion Bureau, Government of Pakistan and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Hong Kong for making arrangements to designate Pakistan as the focus country during APLF, 2004 by granting additional fund, which would be instrumental in providing exposure to the local manufacturers and exporters of leather and leather garments/made-ups among prominent world buyers.
Fawad Khan explained that the association along with PTA and EPB had jointly paid $60,000 to the organisers of the event for designating Pakistan as the focus country of the fair.
He said that his association had undertaken international campaign to promote Pakistan as a quality-conscious supplier of leather garments.
"We are projecting the image of domestic leather industry world-wide, as customer oriented and high quality producers.
He further mentioned that with the assistance of Korean Technicians, the association has recently concluded a project of product up-gradation of the industry as part of its continuous drive to produce better quality at competitive prices.
The Chairman stated that leather garment exports from Pakistan were finally showing remarkable growth during 2003-2004 after being sluggish in the previous two years as it had stood at $191 million during the first six months of the current fiscal year, showing a healthy 54 percent increase from $ 123 million of the corresponding period previous year.