ISLAMABAD: The European Union-funded Pakistan Leather Competitiveness Improvement Programme is likely to be launched today (Tuesday).
The programme is being launched under a three-phased Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme, Private Sector Development, (TRTA/PSD-III).
A ceremony will be held which would be attended by a significant number of senior EU and government officials. The EU head of the mission will be the chief guest while the commerce ministry will be represented by the additional secretary.
According to details, total EU contribution is €4.5 million (91.01% of total) to support the government’s trade strategy and to foster sustainable economic development and poverty reduction via trade competitiveness by private sector’s export diversification and export promotion. The action is countrywide.
The objectives are to improve quality of production through provision of business development services, taking into account environmental friendly production and to enhance product development and improved design as to moving products up the value chain through state of the art production techniques
Moreover marketing and branding to provide access to knowledge: upgrading skills of employees (through technical training relevant for each of the focal sectors) with focus on gender balance; and training in management and organizational skills of middle management
Another objective is the improved access to regional and international markets as a result of the above and through provision of necessary information and services provided by the Pakistan’s Business Intermediary Organisations (BIOs) or by companies providing equivalent services and activities on product compliance for export (as for example compliance with the EU Reach Directive for leather production/tanning) as well as on export & customs documentation. The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is €2.1 million.
