A 16-member tanners’ delegation from India is expected to arrive in Lahore on February 22 which would explore Pakistan’s potential in supply of raw material for the Indian footwear industry. India foresees huge increase in the leather’s demand for its footwear industry, which could cross four billion square feet by 2020, disclosed Pakistan Tanners Association’s former central Chairman Agha Saiddain while talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday.
He said the delegation, on government’s invitation, would first land in Karachi and later arrives in Lahore on same day. The delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with the industry people and would also visit different tanneries in Lahore, he said. India’s footwear industry is growing on a fast pace because of substantial increase in its footwear exports, he said and added, “Our neighbouring country believes that Pakistan is the country, which has potential to meet its rising demand for finished leather”.
He feared that Pakistan could become a raw material supplying country if it does not focus on value addition by developing own footwear industry. Pakistan should take a step forward to consume indigenous raw material to exploit footwear export potential, he said. Pakistan produces best quality of finished leather that could help enhance leather products export, he maintained.
