Lahore, June 23, 2025 — Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Mr. Faiz Ahmad, met with a high-level delegation of the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) on 23rd June, 2025 at the TDAP Office in Lahore to discuss key issues and opportunities in the country’s footwear export sector.
The PFMA delegation included Mr. Hassan Javed, CEO Service Global Footwear and Pakistan’s largest footwear exporter, along with Mr. Abid Hafeez, Senior Vice Chairman PFMA. The delegation expressed appreciation to the Chief Executive for taking personal interest in the issues relating to the Pakistani footwear industry.
The delegation highlighted the sector’s untapped potential, especially in light of China’s anticipated relocation of its footwear industry to the region. They stressed the need for Pakistan to act swiftly to attract this investment shift and position itself as a regional manufacturing hub.
Several structural challenges were brought to the Chief Executive’s attention, including the deteriorating quality of leather hides amidst decline in livestock quantity, low rebate rates in Pakistan (around 3%) compared to regional competitors such as Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam (10% and above), and Pakistan’s extended lead production times of six weeks,
which fall short of international buyers’ expectations of three to four weeks. The delegation also raised concerns over the significant financial burden borne by exporters to ensure high-level security for Chinese personnel working in Pakistan.
The PFMA team lauded Mr. Faiz Ahmad’s comprehensive understanding of the sector’s issues and his forward-looking approach. In response, the Chief Executive assured the delegation of TDAP’s unwavering commitment to supporting the footwear industry. He pledged that TDAP would take up the rebate issue with relevant authorities, initiate generous R&D and workforce training grants, and explore mechanisms to ease the financial strain of security for foreign personnel. Additionally, Mr. Ahmad assured that TDAP would engage with EU ambassadors, particularly from Italy, to help facilitate timely Schengen visas for genuine and reputable PFMA member exporters participating in global exhibitions such as Expo Riva Schuh in Garda, Italy.
The meeting concluded on a positive note with a mutual resolve to strengthen collaboration for the sustained development of Pakistan’s footwear exports.
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