KARACHI, Dec 17: The Board of the Export Development Fund Board (EDF) has approved Rs400 million for up-gradation of leather garments by investing in technology and improvement in human skills in the country.

Headed by Minister of Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the EDF Board in its 60th meeting recently held in Islamabad approved project funding for setting up design studios and Research and Development centres.

Patron-in-chief Fawad Ijaz Khan said that EDF has approved a grant of Rs82 million for procurement of export advisory services.

As per plan, he said, the Pakistan Leather Garment Manufacturers Exporters Association (Plgmea) will hire services of foreign experts and technicians for six months in design and pattern making of leather garments.

The Plgmea has made categories of exporters based on their annual exports and will be benefiting from this scheme.

Exporter with annual exports from $1 million to $2.5 million, those having more than $2.5 million to $5 million exports, those with more than $5 million to $10 million exports and those above $10 million, he informed.

He further said that the EDF has granted Rs38 million for establishment of research and development centers in Karachi and Sialkot by Plgmea.

Similarly, a grant of Rs150 million towards endowment for National Institute of Leather Technology (NILT) was also approved. The EDF board also granted Rs40 million for the up-gradation of NILT as per proposals submitted by the Plgmea.