Jean Francois Cautain, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan has emphasised that the business community should explore opportunities in other sectors besides textile and leather, in a bid to take advantage of the GSP Plus scheme. A European Union (EU) delegation attended an international symposium, held in connection with Pakistan Mega Leather Show 2016. It was arranged by the EU funded ‘Pakistan Leather Competitiveness Improvement Programme (PLCIP)’ under European Union’s Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme. PLCIP is working to improve the overall value chain in the leather sector of Pakistan.

According to Cautain, the European Union recently supported Pakistan Mega Leather Show and sent a delegation of Pakistan’s leather sector to India to observe best practices and strengthen relationship between the business communities of both countries.

Meanwhile, PMLS Convener Muhammad Musaddiq appreciated the support and assistance of European Union through PLCIP and said that the PMLS-2016 portrayed the positive image of Pakistan to the world. The PMLS-2016 provided a unique platform for the Pakistani leather industry, including tanners, footwear manufacturers, leather garments and gloves manufacturers, chemical companies, and other vendors supplying equipment, machinery and components to the leather industry to display their products, and provide a single platform for the Pakistani leather industry.