Shoes export up 13pc despite R&D removal and recession

[LahoreEstate]

LAHORE - The special subsidized rates for Pakistan’s worldwide footwear trade have helped increase the
exports to the extent of 250 per cent in the last couple of years. Export of shoes has shown an increase of 13 per
cent in the current fiscal year till Apr against the corresponding period of last year.
If the support was not withheld the footwear industry would have certainly crossed the $ 200 million limit.
R&D support has been granted to textile sector for shipments made till 30 June 2008 but it has not been
restored to Footwear Sector, which is disheartening and PFMA would appeal to remove the discrimination.
This was stated by Pakistan Footwear Manufacturer Association Chairman Nasir Anwer Sheikh while
presenting the welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 11th Pakistan International Footwear Show
(PIFS) 2009 on Saturday. Delegates from different national and international footwear manufacturing
organizations were also present at the event. The two-day PIFS-2009 is a joint venture of the Pakistan Footwear
Manufacturers Association (PFMA) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. The footwear show was
inaugurated by the TDAP Chief Executive Mohibullah Shah.
Anwer Sheikh said that during the recession time, the world has invested more budget in the R&D sector, urging
the government to restore 6 per cent R&D Support to footwear from the date of discontinuation.
He further said that the footwear manufacturers are subjected to a variety of local taxes. This not only increases
the cost of exportable products but also wastes a lot of time in dealing with government departments, he added.
He suggested the government that only one agency should deal with the manufacturers.
It is mentioned that our competitor governments like India, Bangladesh and China heavily subsidize the exports
and export rebates are given to the exporters in one form or the other

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