Incentives sought for shoe manufacturers

Businessmen see potential for growth, export in sector

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has said that the shoe manufacturing industry has a great potential, therefore the government should pay attention to the sector and provide incentives.

Footwear contributes less than 1% to Pakistan’s global exports. Despite the low contribution to the international footwear market, Pakistan is the seventh largest producer of footwear, manufacturing more than 2% of all footwear produced worldwide.

Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony, RCCI President Saqib Rafiq said that the platform of the chamber was available to bring local brands forward. He asked the government to focus on the sector and provide incentives like that of other sectors.

“Shoe manufacturing is a major part of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Pakistan exports footwear to more than 60 countries in five continents,” he pointed out, adding that exports of footwear had registered a high growth in the recent past.

Rafiq emphasised that the chamber had always demanded that the services sector should be developed to increase exports. “The government should focus on sectors that require minimum infrastructure and investment.”