Lahore, 1-3 June 2016 - A three-day workshop on setting up of footwear, leather goods and component factory was organized by UNIDO in Lahore, Pakistan to promote investment in leather, footwear and related sectors.

UNIDO in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) and in partnership with the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT), Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Italian Embassy organized the first of its kind awareness and training workshop.

Speaking at the opening session, PFMA Chairman, Mr.  Wasim Zakaria said that core objective behind this seminar was to focus on creation of a footwear cluster in Pakistan that offered a platform for establishment of new factories in the leather sector; adding more value to leather export business and boosting economic output.

He said that the seminar aimed to introduce new technology, best practices and global industry benchmarks in order to upgrade the existing industrial infrastructure and create new industrial units in the country. PBIT Chief Executive Officer Amena Cheema said that since Punjab was all set for investments, the PBIT stands fully equipped to provide all possible facilitation and support to those wishing to invest in the province.

To formalise the commitment to build a footwear/leather cluster, a memorandum of understanding was signed among PBIT, InterConnect and the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC). According to the MoU, 70 acres of lands has been allocated for establishment of the cluster.

On this occasion, the PBIT also set up a desk to disburse information regarding potential business opportunities in Punjab especially in the footwear and leather sectors. The first day activities included panel discussions, presentations on the manufacturing, marketing and technical aspects of footwear and leather business.

During the next two days of the seminar/workshop, the Italian experts also introduced the formulation of a sustainable marketing strategy and facilitate Pakistani leather goods to penetrate into the global market, especially Europe.

The “Joint UNIDO-SMEDA-Italy Programme” financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by UNIDO aims to increase the number of industrial projects implemented in Pakistan through business-oriented cooperation with foreign partners, in particular from Italy. In particular, UNIDO ITPO Italy is supporting the IPU in Lahore to improve services and consultancy for further development of the business support sector in Pakistan.