RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Adviser to Prime Minister to Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production and Investment Abdul Razzaq Dawood said on Monday that this year the country’s exports will reach an all-time high.

Talking to the media here at Expo Centre after inaugurating the 5th Pakistan Mega Leather Show 2019 (PMLS 2019) at Expo Centre, Dawood said: “Despite difficulties, the country’s economy is heading towards improvement.”

Vowing to “increase exports rapidly”, Razak Dawood said: “We are working on a strategy to increase exports. The business community and the government can work together to overcome challenges.”

About recently-presented mini-budget, he said it would revive and facilitate investment and economic growth. “The main aim of the reform package is to boost supply-side of the economy and enhance production and exports,” he said. He said the government is moving towards direct taxation while gradually curtailing indirect taxes. Dawood said that Pakistan had already inked a number of agreements with Afghanistan to boost trade.

To a query, he said the new visa regime would also help increase the country’s investment portfolio as foreign investors would come to make investment. The adviser congratulated the members of Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) and Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) for organizing the event. He also visited the stalls and interacted with national and international exhibitors.

In the show, more than 300 stalls have been set up to attract visitors from different segments of the leather industry, business community, related organizations and members of the public. The exhibitors showcased a wide range of products on their stalls.

The event provided a viable platform to nurture stronger ties and develop potential areas of collaboration between the allied industries of the leather sector of Pakistan. It also featured a special exhibition of quality products in leather manufacturing industry of Pakistan.

The event consisted of business-to-business meetings to be held on all three days. The event has presence from international and domestic footwear designers, buyers of footwear and leather-goods, and consumers. This platform provided the visitors access to vital information and networking opportunities with the national and international customers, said Hassan Javed, Chairman Pakistan Footwear Manufactures Association.

Chairman PTA Agha Saddain said: “Production, tanning and manufacturing of leather goods is credited as the second biggest export-oriented industry in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The PMLS 2019 attracted potential buyers and investors from China, India, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, Cyprus, the USA, the UAE, Spain and Tunisia. They showed keen interest in the growing leather industry of Pakistan”.