LAHORE - Pakistani and foreign manufacturers from India, China, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil and European and Asian countries will participate in the second edition of the Pakistan Mega Leather Show, a three-day exhibition being held at the Expo Centre in Lahore from January 27-29.
Punjab Governor Muhammad Rafique Rajwana and Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan will inaugurate the exhibition. Addressing a press conference at a local hotel on Monday, show’s convener Muhammad Musaddiq said that Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporter Association (PLGMEA) and the Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PGMEA) also joined the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association and the Pakistan Tanners Association for the exhibition. Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) Chairman Waseem Zakaria and Pakistan Tanners Association Chairman Gulzar Feroz were also present on the occasion.
Musaddiq told the journalists that the leather sector is the second largest export-oriented and value-added industry after textile. He said that exports of the leather industry were $1.195 billion during 2014-15. Besides five percent contribution in exports, this sector also contributes 2.67 percent of GDP with over one million workers throughout Pakistan, he said.
Sharing details of the show, PFMA Chairman Waseem Zakaria said that the upcoming exhibition will portray and improve positive image of Pakistan at world level and to motivate leather business entrepreneurs for growth. “This exhibition will also enhance confidence of investors in Pakistan’s markets,” he said, adding that people from across the world will also attract towards the leather industry of Pakistan. He said that the manufacturers would have a chance to discuss local footwear industry and future challenges with visiting counterparts.
Waseem Zakaria said that the exhibition – that would be dedicated to all sectors of the leather industry – would be a stepping stone, as this event would provide a perfect occasion for companies to show case their best products in front of local and international buyers. To make the event more colourful and enhance the interest of visitors, a number of other attractive activities like seminars, cat walk/fashion show and musical evening will also be part of the exhibition.
The PFMA chairman assured that quality of the products being presented in the exhibition would be above all standards. He also said that Pakistani products would gain a foothold internationally soon to the extent of becoming competitive due to international exhibitions. He asked the government to make all-out efforts to facilitate footwear and leather industry. On the occasion, the businessmen also highlighted problems being faced by the footwear industry.