KARACHI, Feb 27: Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Plgmea) on Monday criticized the decision of the EPB for not giving subsidy to exhibitors who had declined to participate in Expo Pakistan 2006 being held from March 29 to April 2, 2006 at Expo Centre.

In a statement Plgmea adviser Fawad Ijaz Khan termed the move by the Export Promotion Bureau as unjust and discriminatory.

He further said that 12 Plgmea exhibitors were participating in the world’s largest leather fair “APLF 2006” being held in Hong Kong from March 28 to 30. “Pakistani exporters of leather goods have been regularly participating in this fair for last many years and get 50 per cent subsidy from the EPB,” he added.

He said that the Hong Kong leather fair was included in the EPB’s approved list for the year 2006-07 and allocated to Plgmea.

He said that the EPB decision not to give subsidy for APLF 2006 was in fact an arm twisting measure to force Plgmea to participate in the Expo Pakistan 2006.

He reiterated that the Plgmea board had decided not to participate in the Expo 2006 if government did not take any action against EPB officials involved in a row with leather exporters.