Strategy evolved to modernise leather garments sector: Cheema

Punjab Industries, Investment and Commerce Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema has said that a strategy has been evolved for strengthening and modernisation of leather garments sector, enabling it to enhance its share in the global market.
He was speaking as chief guest at the annual general meeting of Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PLGMEA), Northern Zone, here on Tuesday night.
He said both the Federal and provincial governments were committed to address the problems and difficulties being faced by the leather garment sector. To facilitate the business community, engaged in leather garments industry, the Leather Garments Institute at Gujranwala had been upgraded to cater to the needs of the industry, he revealed. The Industries Minister said that special attention had been paid on the provision of technical facilities to the leather garments sector in Punjab.
Referring to the international trade in leather and leather products, which had grown dramatically during the past 15 years, he said the value of global import of leather and leather products had also been increased.
Ajmal Cheema said leather and leather products industries were representing one of the most important sectors of the national economy and it was high time that the business community should concentrate on bringing innovation in the products for competing in the global market because the consumers trend was changing sharply.
He disclosed that the export of leather garments from Sialkot was about 225 million dollars annually, and stressed the need for bringing considerable increase in the export volume of leather garments.
Ajmal Cheema said that extraordinary efforts were being made to strengthen the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector and resolving its problem.
In major industrial towns, including Sialkot, the SMEs Industrial Estates would be set up in Punjab, he said, adding the establishment of the SME Industrial Estates would help promote different small and cottage industries producing non-traditional products in the province.
Welcoming the minister, PLGMEA Chairman Hassan Ali Bhatti highlighted various problems being faced by the industry, and said that to protect the industry from decline, the government should provide six percent research and development support for leather garments industry.
PLGMEA's Central Chairman Chaudhry Zulfiqar Hayyat stressed upon the manufacturers and exporters to adopt revolutionary measures not only for increasing the export volume, but also for competing in the international market. Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dr Nouman Idris Butt also spoke on the occasion. Newly-elected PLGMEA (Northern Zone) Chairman Sohail Khawar Mir and members were present on the occasion.