PTA ask government for APLF support

Pakistan was one of the largest exhibitor groups at the APLF and last year 59 companies participated in the fair covering 759 sq m of space. The letter stated that; ‘due to the recession in Europe it is important that we get a maximum share from Asia, and the APLF is the most important event in the region’. The APLF is the best event to approach Chinese customers for promotion of leather exports, it added.
According to PTA figures, leather industry exports in 2007-08 were $1.22 billion, $959.14 million in 2008-09, $867.50 million in 2009-10 and $1.09 billion in 2010-11. The average annual exports from the leather industry in Pakistan are worth $1.3 billion.
The leather sector is paying an average $2.584 million as Export Duty Surcharge (EDS), which is solely for promotion of exports.
‘For the promotion of leather exports, the government has no other incentive for the sector,’ said former chairman PTA Agha Saidian.
On the other hand, India has announced funds for the development of the leather sector including subsidised leather fairs. Similarly, Bangladesh has allowed a 70% subsidy on stand cost, air travel, residence and samples transportation’, he said.
Presently, the PTA have a list of 13 international fairs which can be cut down to provide the 50% subsidy on important fairs such as the APLF, Lineapelle in Italy and Shoes & Leather in Guangzhou, China.
‘Under these circumstances, the PTA has requested that the TDAP reconsider the subsidy and allow 50% on space and discounts on sample freight, air travel and other charges as is allowed in Bangladesh and Turkey,’ Agha Saidian said.