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PAKISTAN: Problems Emerge Over Leather Production |
2004-7-16
The Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) is concerned that the leather industry may face problems after World Trade Organisation (WTO) regulations are put into place. PTA believes that drops in the value of leather products, alongside a lack of preparation for new social and environmental standards set by the WTO, may mean units will face closure or trade embargo by international buyers.Pakistan’s leather industry is the country''s second largest export sector , with Italy, Germany and Spain being amongst its key markets. However, because of changes in the international market, China and other Asian countries have begun to gain monopoly over leather production.SN Naseem, PTA chairman said: “Our exports to Europe are declining due to the shifting of industries. “While Europeans pay a better price for leather hides we need to reduce our production cost in order to enable us to export leather to China.”He added that Pakistan’s tanneries were failing to give their attention to social compliance issues, risking closure if they were seen to be causing unnecessary pollution.Tanners argue that the government is responsible for making changes, while the PTA chairman has also accused the authorities of not paying enough attention to the issue
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