May 17, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1423

KARACHI, May 16: There is a continuous fall in the quantum of leather exports to the European Union (EU) countries because of levy of import duties which make Pakistani products costlier than other exporting countries.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the chairman, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), Masood Ahmed, said during last five years there is falling trend in exports of leather to EU countries.

He urged upon the government to enter into negotiation with the EU for removing import duties on Pakistani leather, specially Italy, Germany, France and Spain, who are major consumer of leather.

Masood said there is no import duty on import of leather from countries like Bangladesh, India and Turkey as a result of this Pakistan leather export become uncompetitive in the EU market.

He was highly disappointed with the outcome of Lineapelle Fair held at Bologna, Italy, from May 7 to 9, 2002. He said PTA members as usual participated in the fair but could not get satisfactory results.

He said exporters are of the opinion that in case import duties are not withdrawn by EU then Pakistan should consider as a reciprocal step imposition of customs tariff on imports from EU member states.