Pakistan PLGMEA seeks rise in subsidy
11 December 2008Fawad Ijaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Leather Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PLGMEA) has urged Syed Mohibullah Shah, chief executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), to increase the 50% subsidy to 75% for PLGMEA members for participation in international exhibitions.
He said that the procedure of refund of exhibition subsidy takes 8-10 months which creates problems for Exhibitors. Various objections are raised by TDAP officers and Auditors on refund claims and sometimes a substantial amount is deducted from the claims. Mohibullah agreed to simplify and expedite the process of refund of exhibition subsidies. Fawad has requested the TDAP chief to provide support for the fashion show in CPD exhibition to be held in February 2009 in Düsseldorf, Germany. CPD is the largest fashion exhibition in Europe and Pakistani exporters have been participating for several years. Fawad has informed the chief executive of TDAP that there is acute shortage of skilled workers and technicians in leather garment factories. The National Institute of Leather Technology (NILT), established by the government for training leather garment technicians, is not able to produce sufficient workers to serve this industry. Previously TDAP permitted the import of Korean garment technicians.
