Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with representatives of Pakistan’s leather industry to discuss export performance, taxation pressure, market access and reforms needed to improve industrial growth and exports in Pakistan.
Pakistan has a strong livestock base and established manufacturing expertise in leather, leather products and footwear. However, industry representatives said structural challenges continue to impact growth and exports.
Stakeholders highlighted that high production costs, fragmented compliance systems and heavy taxation are reducing the sector’s competitiveness in global markets.
The delegation also raised concerns over multiple inspections, approvals, certifications and overlapping taxes imposed by federal, provincial and municipal authorities. They called for a simplified and harmonized compliance framework along with a one window taxation system to improve ease of doing business and reduce operational inefficiencies.
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Industry representatives also pointed to the rising cost of import financing and high duties on industrial raw materials as major challenges limiting export competitiveness and international expansion.
The industry submitted preliminary budget proposals including tariff rationalization, duty reductions on raw materials and tax relief for export oriented manufacturing units.
Participants stressed the need for affordable access to inputs, improved financing facilities, better market access and greater regulatory efficiency.
They also highlighted Pakistan’s untapped export potential through better use of its livestock resources, stronger value chain integration and deeper penetration into regional and global markets.
Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged the concerns and said improving export competitiveness would require immediate facilitation measures along with long term reforms in taxation, financing, market access and industrial productivity. He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Commerce’s commitment to continued engagement with industry stakeholders.
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