Exporter’s Distress: PTA laments import duty on leather

The imposition of duty on leather sector’s main raw material would result in collapse of the industry in Pakistan.

KARACHI: The leather and garment exporters have expressed their dismay over the government’s move of slapping duty on import of hides and skins. Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) South Zone Chairman Fawad Jawed said that while the leather sector was passing through a critical phase, the government had imposed duty on leather sector’s main raw material – hides and skins – without justification which would result in collapse of the industry in Pakistan. Endorsing PTA Central Chairman Sheikh Saqib Masood, Fawaz said that despite the negative growth rate of Pakistan, the government had imposed the duty without realising that the sector was in crisis due to various reasons including non-supply of water, expensive electricity and gas shortage. As a result, Pakistan was fast losing its market share to its archrival India, said the chairman.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2014.

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