IFCOMA board recently took two major steps to get in to the world market on its own to expose Indian components, as the govt. is yet to consider their pleas for removing hurdles. Targeting the objectives of the association, IFCOMA made its presence in the JUFT'98 footwear fair held at Lahore, Pakistan from 17th April at pearl continental Hotel, the first ever international participation. This was also in line with their initial export target of Rs. 100 crores and to reach Rs. 1000

crores by 2003, which they feel is possible only with the govt support.

 

The fair was inagurated by Honable Mr. Khwazabelal Ahmed, Chairman Export Promotion Board (EPB) and was attended by the IFCOMA president Mr. Mani Almal and Mr. Ketan Sanghavi, a board member who has also been looking after the Pakistan sector. Mr. Sanghavi happens to be the first producers of plastic last in India and has recently tied up with M/s. Fagus of Germany. About the fair response, Mr. Almal said, "It was an

excellent exposure of our products and our quality was very well acceptable to both the sector of footwear manufacturers, organised and unorganised. Undoubtedly, export to Pakistan has very good potential as we are nearest to them offering most of the raw materials and accessories. Both the countries are well linked by road, sea and air which could be beneficial to them in reducing cost and inventory compared with their present sourcing. The major hurdles remains import barrier by the Pakistan govt., which perhaps is affecting the economy of both the countries. However, Chairman EPB visited our stand and strongly welcomed us for business possibilities. All the participants and visitors were very responsive and gave excellent hospitality throughout our stay."

He was of the opinion that all the SAARC countries should open free trade amongst themselves removing customs duties or lowering them to minimum in mutual interest. This preferential status will save huge cost and improve productivity of all its members. Apart from both being SAARC member India and Pakistan have all the links including import exports of permissible commodities therefore, earlier removal of barriers should be beneficial to both.

The step of transition from SAPTA to " SOUTH-ASIAN FREE TRADE AREA''(SAFTA) wherein import tariffs on about 1200 tradable items are expected to be removed or reduced in phase manner by 2001 at the forthcoming third round table negotiation to be held shortly, does also shows the positive approach of the members. However, the economy gets a boost the faster it is implemented, Mr. Almal said commenting after his trips to Bangladesh and Pakistan.

According to Mr. Sanghavi " footwear industries in Pakistan are mostly unorganised hence we could not have the statistics of their production but a rough estimate could be 120 million pairs p.a. with most of the items are imported from distance countries. They have tremendous growth potentials because of the tanneries producing better quality leather and the labour strength apart from the support from the Export Promotion Board of Pakistan which sponsored the fair organised by the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA).