LAHORE ( Web News )
Pakistan Footwear Manufacture Association (PFMA) Chairman Mr. Imran Malik met with Governor of Punjab Mr. Chaudry Muhammad Sarwar at Governor house to brought their attention towards key challenges being faced by footwear industry and suggested possible solutions to prudently address them to ensure continuity in growth in this sector. PFMA Chairman had detailed discussion with the Governor on issues pertinent to industry and put forward suggestions to address them in a manner that it is in best interest of the industry and the Government. The agenda of the meeting was to bring into the notice of the Governor the core issue directly impacting the growth of the Footwear industry in Pakistan.
Under their demands, PFMA requested the authority to allocate 1 acre land on Gratis basis to enhance the training facility of Italy-Pakistan Footwear Technological center and Pakistan shoe design Hub (IPFTC) in Quaid-e-Azam Business Park where all the facilities of footwear and allied industry will be available for manufacturers to boost this sector. PFMA Chairman requested the Governor to instruct concerned authorities to swiftly process and reimburse funds paid to custom authorities on import of machinery from Italy for establishment of state-of-the-art Italy-Pakistan Footwear Technology Center in Lahore. As per Letter of Intent, the Italian Government has provided Free Machinery for IPFTC but import expenses have to be borne by the Pakistan government. PFMA requested the Government to waver on custom duties on first time import but matters delayed in different ministries. The Associations bear Rs. 6,544,779/- on account of custom duty and sales tax including miscellaneous expenses on release of shipments which reimbursement requested with Government.
Similarly, the Association also put forward a suggestion of extension of incentives of local taxes and levies drawback for another 3 years terms as previous incentives expired on 30th June 2021. The Chairman also brought Governor attention towards determining the import duties on ready shoes must be fixed in dollar terms irrespective of FOB price. This way under invoicing can be stopped and impact will be on Low priced imported shoes will be on real value resulting in encouraging local manufacturing.
The PFMA Chairman requested the Governor to timely take this suggestion into consideration by providing swift relief to the industry and provide a level playing field to local producers to compete with their foreign counterparts. At its infancy, Footwear Industry requires Government attention and support to become the leading export oriented industry of Pakistan to help boost the economy by earning valuable foreign exchange and creating job opportunities.