Leather sector bags $50m worth orders at APLF

15 Apr '10

2 min read

Pakistan while participating at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) 2010 in Hong Kong has successfully bagged orders worth $50 million for exporting leather and leather products, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) Chairman Gulzar Firoz said, as he commended the country's potential with regards to quality products.

Many traders and manufacturers from across 32 countries were in Hong Kong during March 29 to 31 to be a part of the mega event held at Hong Kong Convention Centre in Wanchai.

Firoz informed that, during the event itself, export orders for finished leather worth US $30 million were finalized, whereas orders worth around $20 million are under negotiations. He also divulged that, PTA with Consulate General of Pakistan, Hong Kong, had set up a Pakistan pavilion for its 55 participants.

The financial assistance for setting up the pavilion has followed from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), which even incorporated seven other private participants.

Agha Saiddain, Ex-Chairman, PTA, remarked that, in the face of tough competition from countries like China, India, Bangladesh and mainly Vietnam, finished and semi finished leather goods from Pakistan have still succeeded to retain its hold over world markets.

He also said that, this year, leather items worth around $555 million have been exported during the first eight months of the current fiscal, over $698 million worth of export, during corresponding period last year.

While asserting that the Pakistani leather sector is aiming to establish itself at a higher position in international markets, which is despite high production costs, due to, over-priced power and gas tariffs and highly priced raw material, he said.

Also, he held that the leather exporting industry requires a stimulus package to wipe out the effects of global meltdown, and thus demanded of the government to devise a stimulus package with added incentives like those offered by countries like India, China and Bangladesh.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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