It is possible to increase the export up to two billion dollars for leather sector in next three years if Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) is consulted and a favourable policy adopted, said Chairman,PTA, Shaikh Muhammad Naseen. Leather industry desperately needs the incentives as requested by PTA to be able to continue to play its viable role by fetching precious foreign exchange failing which may be disastrous for leather industry in view of prevailing circumstances.
He said export figures released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistic for the period July-June 2011-12, the exports of leather of all kinds has shown alarming declining trend. Total quantity exported is 24.956 million SQM as compared to the same period of last year which was 28.956 million SQM, which shows decaling trend in quantity of leather ie 15 percent.
He said that association has already taken up the decaling issue of leather export to concern ministries through letters and press but neither any attention was paid nor any suggestion was entertained. Chairman, PTA emphasised again the need for providing level playing field for leather sector by considering the PTA's [proposals for incorporation in the up-coming trade policy 2012-13 specially (i) to stop export and smuggling of live animals from Pakistan (ii) Reduction in import duty on basic chemicals ie chromium sulphate, formic acid, fat liquor and buffing paper (iii) increase in duty drawback rates for leather and for other incentives, to enable our members to compete in international market.
He strongly urged the government to consider PTA's proposals, suggestions favourably for incorporation in the forthcoming trade policy 2012-13 which could facilitate to arrest the declining trade of leather sector for boosting country's export to the desired extent.-PR