SIALKOT, Jan 24: Around 40 per cent reduction in tanneries' pollution has been observed in the district after successful implementation of anti-pollution policies and scientific use of the 'cleaner production techniques.'

Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA) chairman Shaikh Abdul Waheed Sandal told reporters here on Monday. He said the PGMEA had joined hands with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for setting up a Leather Production Development Institute (LPDI) and Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) in Sialkot.

He said the main object of setting up leather institute was to provide skilled manpower to the industry, besides enhancing production and quality of the leather goods according to the international standards.

Mr Sandal said the PGMEA was playing its role in conservation of environment too. He said the CPC would be a joint project of the governments of Pakistan and Norway was to counter pollution created by tanneries.

He claimed that the leather institute and CPC were the first projects of their nature in Pakistan being set up with the financial assistance and technical support of Norway.

He said the major achievements of the CPC project were setting up of chrome recovery plant, analytical testing laboratory, introducing solid waste disposal system and introduction and implementation of 'cleaner production techniques' in the city. Mr Sandal said due to the success of CPC, the Punjab government has released a special grant of Rs95 million for setting up a tanneries zone near Sambrial.