A delegation representing Pakistan\u2019s leather and footwear industry called on Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to discuss key issues affecting the sector, including export growth opportunities, domestic industry challenges, and regulatory concerns related to the import of used footwear.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the strong potential of Pakistan\u2019s footwear industry to expand exports and contribute more significantly to the country\u2019s export basket.<\/p>\n
Industry representatives noted that Pakistan possesses substantial manufacturing capacity and skilled labor, which can support increased production for both domestic consumption and international markets.<\/p>\n
The delegation emphasized that Pakistan\u2019s annual footwear consumption is estimated at around 550 million pairs, while the country has an installed production capacity of nearly 700 million pairs annually, indicating significant potential for both domestic supply and export expansion. However, they noted that a considerable portion of this capacity remains underutilized due to market distortions created by the growing influx of used footwear imports.<\/p>\n
Industry representatives informed the Minister that approximately 30\u201340 percent of the domestic market is currently being met through imports of used footwear. Many of these imports, they explained, include branded shoes entering the market at extremely low declared values under the category of used clothing, which creates unfair competition for local manufacturers.<\/p>\n
In this context, the delegation proposed the introduction of a separate Harmonized System (HS) code for used footwear, which is currently classified under the broader category of used clothing and accessories. They explained that the existing classification makes it difficult for regulators to properly track footwear imports, assess accurate valuation, and implement sector-specific regulatory measures.<\/p>\n
During the discussion, the Joint Secretary (Tariff) of the Ministry of Commerce apprised the Minister that the proposal to create a separate HS code for used footwear has been placed on the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Tariff Policy Board. It was further shared that, following consultations and approvals, the proposal may ultimately become part of the upcoming federal budget.<\/p>\n
Responding to the delegation\u2019s concerns, Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged the importance of the leather and footwear sector as a high-potential export industry and reiterated the government\u2019s commitment to supporting local manufacturing while promoting export-led growth.<\/p>\n
The Minister encouraged industry stakeholders to enhance export performance and strengthen Pakistan\u2019s presence in international footwear markets, while also emphasizing the need for locally produced footwear to remain reasonably priced and accessible in the domestic market.<\/p>\n
The meeting also discussed broader measures to improve customs valuation practices, address regulatory challenges associated with used imports, and encourage investment in export-oriented footwear manufacturing.<\/p>\n
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination between the government and industry stakeholders to fully unlock the sector\u2019s potential for employment generation, increased domestic production, and higher exports in the coming years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A delegation representing Pakistan\u2019s leather and footwear industry called on Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to discuss key issues affecting the sector, including export growth opportunities, domestic industry challenges, and regulatory concerns related to the import of used footwear. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the strong potential of Pakistan\u2019s footwear industry to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":72557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[131,30],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[213],"class_list":{"0":"post-72556","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"category-latest"},"yoast_head":"\n