The Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Plgmea) is planning to send a delegation to Russia and Poland to explore the potential for exports in these countries.
"Now these markets have become more attractive due to reduction in import duty by these countries", a Plgmea delegation led by its Chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan told Abid Javed Akber, vice-chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
The delegation held a meeting to discuss issues pertaining to international marketing and exports of leather garments.
They said that Russia is particularly very lucrative market, but due to high import duty and value-added tax (VAT), the exports to Russia at the moment is not feasible.
It was suggested that the government should initiate negotiations with the Russian authorities for reducing this duty for Pakistani leather garments.
It was also suggested that the idea of warehousing in Russia should also be explored.
"Our leather garment industry should be given ample projection in this market so that our presence as well as quality is established", the delegation told the EPB official.
The EPB vice chairman agreed with this suggestion and directed officials concerned to provide maximum assistance to the Plgmea delegation from the Pakistan Commercial Counsellor based in Moscow.
Fawad apprised Abid Javed Akber about the growing problem of pilferage from export consignments of leather garments at the Karachi Airport, saying this is committed mostly by loading staff at the airport.
He alleged this pilferage was not only causing loss to exporters, but also damaging their reputation, saying there is urgent need to control this menace with the help of private security guards and closed circuit monitors to be installed at the Karachi Airport.
The Plgmea delegation included M. Danish Khan and M. Khurseed Ahmed, while the Export Promotion Bureau was represented by its Vice Chairman Abid Javed Akber, directors-general Naveed Arif and Shujauddin Siddiqui, Director Aijaz Ali Khan, Deputy Director Dr Masroor Memon, and EPB Consultant K.K. Suri.
The Plgmea chief pointed out in the meeting at present, India is carrying out widespread advertising campaign of its leather garments in popular international fashion magazines with the help of Indian Export Promotion Organisation.
He urged the EPB to support Pakistan leather garment industry in the same way so that we can maintain a good profile and awareness among international buyers.
The EPB approved release of two advertisements each per year in World Leather-UK and Outerwear magazine-USA.
Fawad explained the necessity of projects like training of workforce by Korean technicians since there is acute shortage of qualified leather garments trainers in Pakistan.
He said Plgmea had already conducted one such programme successfully, and there has been remarkable improvement in quality of leather garments as well as increasing productivity.
The EPB vice chairman suggested that Plgmea should undertake this project under the Enterprise Capacity Building scheme announced by the government.
Fawad apprised the EPB vice chairman that Plgmea members were facing problems in import and export of fur trimmings although they were using only allowed furs and the internationally recognised Harmonised System of Coding separated mere 'fur trimmings from fur and fur garments'.
"Use of allowed fur trimmings in leather garments for decoration is allowed by all countries that are signatories of Convention on International Treaty on Endangered Species (CITES). Therefore, it was requested that our government should also allow import and export of items having fur trimmings", said Plgmea chief.
Fawad also suggested that to increase the effectiveness of our international marketing there is a need to do a complete budgeting and planning of our export promotional activities on annual basis. At present, all the trade bodies are carrying out such marketing on ad hoc basis he informed.
He suggested that trade bodies should be allowed to submit a complete annual international marketing campaign plan, including trade delegation, trade fairs, advertising, etc to the EPB at the start of each year so that all associations know, which projects they will be arranging at what time.
This will remarkably increase the effectiveness of all such projects besides reducing the unnecessary delays in approving and sanctioning of these projects.
The EPB agreed to this suggestion and Plgmea was asked to submit their next year international marketing projects.