STAFF REPORT LHR: The European Union (EU) funded Pakistan Leather Competitiveness Improvement Program (PLCIP) has signed an MoU with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore to improve hide collection practices for quality enhancement.


Usman Malik, Project Director PLCIP and Agha Saiddain, Chairman – Hide and Skin Improvement Sub-Committee, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) and Prof. Dr Zafar Iqbal, UVAS, signed the MoU. Bernard Francois, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union, witnessed the MoU signing ceremony.


“In the wake of the current incentives given by the European Union which includes the GSP+ status for Pakistan, the value added leather sector needs to seize the opportunity and develop the sector further to become an even greater export earner for Pakistan,” Bernard said.


In his remarks, Prof. Dr Talat said that UVAS is playing a pivotal role in development of livestock sector of Pakistan. In order to better meet the needs of the livestock sector, UVAS is offering specialised courses to ensure availability of skilled butchers for the meat sector.


UVAS has also established a centre of excellence for meat so that Pakistan can fulfil quality requirements of international markets. In regards with hides, UVAS has already worked with Pakistan Tanners Association which will act as the starting point for the work envisioned in the current MoU.


Usman Malik said for the implementation of the MoU, PLCIP Consortium will support UVAS in research and awareness rising among the butchers and hide aggregators to reduce the economic losses to hides.

By Web Team

Technology Times Web team handles all matters relevant to website posting and management.