Despite being a country rich in livestock, Pakistan cuts a sorry figure in front of the world, with a global market share in export of leather products at an embarrassing 0.76 percent against global shares of 37.50%, 13%, 6%, and 3.50% for China, Italy, Vietnam and India, respectively.
Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) Chairman Agha Saiddain said the total exports of the Leather Sector of Pakistan fell from $1.048 billion in 2007-08 to $1.220 billion in 2011-12.
“During 2007-08 Pakistan had a share of 1.25percent out of the total global market size of $98 billion. The global market had grown to $137.96 billion during 2011-12 whereas Pakistani exports fell by 14 percent during this period,” he said. The long standing energy crisis, the export of wet blue leather and the absence of subsidies and incentives have all contributed to this dismal leather-export scenario, Saiddain added.
“PTA has, time and again, requested the government for priority status of this sector,” he said, adding, “Announcement of leather export promotion council is the only practical step taken by the government towards uplift of the sector”.
“As the leather sector is labour intensive and provides jobs to weaker section of the society, it demands special attention from the government,” he said.
Government of Pakistan Must Pay attention before we lose the international market due to small and removeable obstructions.
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