KARACHI, July 30: Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) has opposed the demand of the Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PLGMEA) for imposing 20 per cent duty on export of semi-finished and finished leather.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, PTA chairman Masood A Shaikh, while referring to the demand said it was unacceptable and irrational as no such situation existed.

He dispelled the argument of the PLGMEA chairman that due to export of top quality leather, the manufacturers fail to get higher quality leather in the local market for making garments.

Mr Masood said the government had already allowed duty-free import of finished leather from any country, and that facility could be availed by leather garments manufacturers as per their requirements.

Such statements, he said, were persistently forthcoming like political statements that caused disruption in the entire leather sector industry. The export of leather footwear, gloves as well as leather garments was on the increase. Nevertheless, a little decline is seen in leather garments after the Sept 11 incident.

He said the manufacturers preferred purchasing locally made finished leather because of long-term credit facility which was not possible on imported leather.

Out of top 20 Pakistani exporters of leather garments, the PTA chairman said, 15 had their own tanneries, and they were against the levy of export duty on finished leather.

Mr Masood requested the finance minister to also listen to the PTA delegation which would like to apprise him of the actual position in the industry.