In decline : ICST calls for revival of leather sector
Leather exports for the year 2015-16 fell by 12.35% on the back of rising production cost
ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) on Monday expressed concern over falling production and dwindling exports of the leather sector and called for steps to revive it. Leather exports for the year 2015-16 fell by 12.35% on the back of rising production cost despite GSP status, said ICST. India and China are grabbing Pakistan’s sharing in the international market, which is a cause for concern, said ICST Patron Shahid Rasheed Butt. He said that the decline in the leather sector is also hurting employment and revenue; hence the government should consider providing incentives to the industry. Energy crisis, increasing cost of doing business, tax issues, lack of skilled manpower, among other factors is hitting this sector hard, added Butt.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2017.
Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) on Monday expressed concern over falling production and dwindling exports of the leather sector and called for steps to revive it. Leather exports for the year 2015-16 fell by 12.35% on the back of rising production cost despite GSP status, said ICST. India and China are grabbing Pakistan’s sharing in the international market, which is a cause for concern, said ICST Patron Shahid Rasheed Butt. He said that the decline in the leather sector is also hurting employment and revenue; hence the government should consider providing incentives to the industry. Energy crisis, increasing cost of doing business, tax issues, lack of skilled manpower, among other factors is hitting this sector hard, added Butt.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2017.