May 18, 2002	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1423

SIALKOT, May 17: Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association chairman Salahud Din Mir has expressed deep concern over the export of raw hides/skins or semi-finished/finished leather.

The issue has become very critical and created extreme disappointment directly within the industry of leather products and gloves.

The PGMEA chairman has asked the government to impose a minimum 20 per cent duty on export of any category of semi-finished/finished leather.

At present thousands of leather related industries are in operation and similarly tens of thousands of skilled/semi-skilled workers are engaged in these industries.

He said if the export policy of finished/unfinished leather continued it would be affecting adversely to all engaged in making finished leather products for export.

The government has protected the tanning industry by discouraging export of raw leather and wet blue leather. Similarly, the leather product industry should also be given due protection by discouraging export of finished leather, he added.