LAHORE: In a bid to take advantage of the GSP Plus scheme, the Pakistani businessmen should search investment opportunities in other sectors besides textile and leather.
European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Jean Francois Cautain, who is leading a delegation of European countries, said this while addressing at an international symposium, which was held in connection with Pakistan Mega Leather Show 2016.
It was arranged by the EU funded “Pakistan Leather Competitiveness Improvement Programme (PLCIP)” under European Union’s Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme. PLCIP is working to improve the overall value chain in the leather sector of Pakistan.
Talking to media, the ambassador said that the European Union recently supported Pakistan Mega Leather Show and sent a delegation of Pakistan’s leather sector to India to observe best practices and strengthen relationship between the business communities of both countries.
He said that the leather sector is an important sector in Pakistan, due to its size on economic footprint, employment, and potential for value creation. Despite being an export earner, the leather sector has a small share in the global trade of value added goods and products.
The envoy said that in the wake of current incentives given by the EU, which include the GSP+ status for Pakistan, the value added leather sector needs to seize the opportunity and further develop the sector to become an even greater export earner for Pakistan. Events such as the Pakistan Mega Leather Show help in improving confidence of international investors in leather sector, he added.
PMLS Convener Muhammad Musaddiq appreciated the support and assistance of European Union through PLCIP and said that the PMLS-2016 portrayed the positive image of Pakistan to the world. This event targeted the international buyers to come to Pakistan and to take benefit from the tremendous potential that exist in the leather sector of Pakistan, he added.
