Commerce Minister Pledges Support for Leather, Footwear Industry

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with the Pakistan Leather and Footwear Council on Wednesday, marking what he described as the first time a federal minister has actively engaged with this sector’s council.

The minister emphasized that the primary goal of the meeting was to restructure, strengthen, and revitalize the council, ensuring it becomes a more active and effective body, said a press release.

The minister underscored the critical role that sectoral councils can play in policy formulation. “The government is fully committed to instilling confidence in our local industry and providing robust support,” Khan assured the council members.

He highlighted the need to capitalize on “low-hanging fruits” immediate opportunities that can be seized with minimal effort and reiterated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is dedicated to supporting the industry and exporters by offering all possible incentives.

He further assured the council that both he and the Ministry of Commerce, supported by an energetic and vibrant team, are fully available to the council and are eager to receive its recommendations and proposals.

He emphasized the need for the councils to establish a secretariat that would be fully supported by the Ministry of Commerce, with a built-in mechanism to drive future initiatives.

Council members emphasized the importance of strengthening the leather industry, which they termed the “mother industry” of the footwear sector. They stressed the need to adopt international standards and obligations.

The minister urged the council, along with 15 other sectoral councils, to submit their proposals and recommendations. These will be presented to the National Export Development Fund, chaired by the Prime Minister, for consideration and approval.

The council members also raised concerns about tariffs on imported raw materials and liquidity issues, urging the government to support this billion-dollar industry.

In response, the minister announced that the government is taking initiatives to facilitate small businesses, including establishing warehouses in different countries, starting with Saudi Arabia. This initiative is currently in progress.

He expressed support for the establishment of Business Centers and entertained a proposal from the council members to transform the advisory role of the councils into autonomous bodies, which would increase their functionality and effectiveness.

Additionally, they proposed making tariffs more competitive with international rates to bolster the growth of the industry. Council members highlighted the industry’s reliance on imports, including chemicals and raw materials, and called for support in developing the livestock industry, as well as enhancing technical education and research.

Khan vowed that this time, the government’s support would be tangible and impactful, marking a departure from past practices where commitments often went unfulfilled.