STAFF REPORT LHR: Business experts have expressed apprehensions that the leather industry of Pakistan would not be able to reap full benefit of a duty-free access to the European Union market under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) unless the government resolves long time issues.


They say that the government should refund stuck-up claims, resolves energy crisis and ban the export of livestock from the country.


Pakistan Tanners Association South Zone Chairman Hamid Zahoor opposed the export of livestock, saying that the exports of the leather products have remained stagnant at $1.22 billion for the last six years despite the fact that the country has the huge potential of leather exports.


He says that a bit of support from the Ministry of Commerce can push exports to $3 billion in three years and make the industry the second biggest after textile industry in the country.


The chairman has sent his proposals for trade policy as well as budget 2015-16 to the FBR and has demanded the government also curb massive smuggling through the borders in the garb of export.


The growth rate of leather sector exports is in minus and exports have reduced to 14 percent as against positive growth in the region with 47 percent, 40 percent, and 102 percent in China, India and Bangladesh, respectively during the last fiscal year.

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