THREE YEARS PLAN OF ACTIVITIES OF THE PAKISTAN FOOTWEAR

MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION FOR 2012- 2014

In order to further the interest of Footwear Industry in the country especially boosting of exports, Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association has chalked out the future Plan of Activities for the years 2012-2014 approved by Executive Committee on 11 June 2011 as under:

 1.     Participation in International Footwear Exhibitions  

 Presently we are regularly participating in only 2 international fairs on Association level which are subsidized by TDAP. The expenses on participation are so exorbitant that SMEs can not afford these expenses from their own resources. We should pursue the Government through TDAP to increase its share from 70:30 to 90:10  as well as arrange participation in more international fairs specially in the American region where there are bright chances of success and boosting of our exports.

 The expenses after subsidizing by TDAP will be borne by the participant companies.

 2.      Footwear Delegations/ Extensive Marketing

 Footwear delegations to the selected regions / new markets play an important role in enhancing our exports for which we will seek more financial help through TDAP to include SME sector as well as increase the number of footwear delegations in coming years.                

All expenses will be borne by the delegates themselves initially and will be compensated from the subsidy received from TDAP on return. 

3.      Organization of International Footwear Exhibitions in Pakistan 

 In order to boost exports of footwear we plan to organize / participate in following international exhibitions :  

         a.    Pakistan International Footwear Show (PIFS)

                We should plan to continue our annual footwear exhibition PIFS (Pakistan

                International Footwear Show)  with the collaboration of Trade Development

                Authority of Pakistan once every year and make efforts for expanding its size.

                Due to obvious cuts in TDAP budget and prevailing law and order situation, such as

                the PIFS could not be organized in 2011, the budget for holding each PIFS will be

                made after the approval in principal from Headquarters TDAP each year. 

         b.    Combined Pakistan Leather Show 

                We should try to organize a Combined Mega Pakistan Leather Show by joining

                hands with other leather related Associations i.e. PTA, PGMEA & PLGMEA.

                For the reasons mentioned in sub para a above, the financial estimates will be made

                after approval from TDAP Headquarters.

         c.    Expo Pakistan 

                To participate in Expo Pakistan held every year under arrangements of TDAP to

                enhance overall export of Pakistan. 

                Each member company will be responsible to make payment from their own

                sources. 

4.    Footwear Development Institute

Footwear Industry lacks technical hands and supervisory staff, essential to meet the  challenges of international market for enhancing exports.  The Pakistan Institute of Fashion &  Design has created a wing named Pakistan School of Fashion & Design for Leather & Accessories, which has started a 4 years degree course in Sep 2010.  PFMA should remain associated with the project and will continue its support in providing all necessary technical and material assistance wherever needed.

Any material assistance demanded by Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design will be contributed by member companies.

5.    Maintenance of Library / Information Bureau

The library already established  be maintained and equipped with latest footwear magazines obtainable from international market having useful articles.  It will be providing facilities to its members in the use of gazettes, trade directories and other informative publications.

Footwear magazines e.g. World Footwear, are contributed by the publishers free of cost and there is no expenses involved on this account.

6.     Membership of FPCCI

Subscribe to remain a member of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Procure from and communicate with any incorporated organization of commerce and industry such information, as may be likely to forward the objects of the Association.

Annual Membership Fee will be paid out of Association Funds.  However any additional expenses if involved will also be paid out of Association Funds. 

7.     Assistance to Members

         a.   Assist members in procuring latest information on  manufacturing, marketing, import

               and export of footwear and allied commodities and  maintaining contact with foreign

               trade and industry missions to explore facilities and possibilities for boosting  exports. 

b.   Resolve the technical controversies between the members of the Association. 

Information on manufacturing, marketing etc is available on internet which will be provided to the members on demand free of cost.  

8.      Representation to the Government 

Make representations to the Government, Central or Provincial and other authorities or bodies as and when deemed necessary and to secure an organized action direct or indirect for the fulfillment of any or all of the objects mentioned herein.

 Expenses on account of travelling if involved will be met out of Association Funds.

 9.     Website Improvement              

 PFMA has already established its website www.pakfootwear.org  listing its objectives, activities, up-to-date members list/office bearers, membership form, queries form etc.  We have already updated it  according to Trade Organisations Rule 27 to include up- to-date  list of office bearers with contact details, Executive Committee members, management and members of the General Body, memorandum and articles of association, plan of activities, schedule of Executive Committee meetings and minutes of such meetings, and schedule of elections,  voters list and election results during the election period. We will update it at all times with all relevant information.

 Finances are not involved.  We have trained computer operator to update the website.

10.    Research and Development Cell

A Research & Development Cell has since been established to collect the information on footwear sector in the world. Members should be informed on latest developments including country wise production and import / export figures, custom duty tariffs, any opportunities arising out of abnormal situations, investigating problems peculiar to the industry & trade with a view to cause improvements and progress etc.  It should also safeguard and promote the interest of the labour employed by the footwear manufacturing industry.

All information needed is available on internet which is downloaded and provided to members through routine circulars. 

11.     Establishment of Regional Office of Association

The point for establishment of Regional Office PFMA was considered. It was noted  that  Bulk of the Footwear Industry of Pakistan (about 80%) is located in Punjab area and more than 60%

industry is located around Lahore, therefore their problems are sorted out at Lahore Head

Office and no difficulty has been felt by anyone.  It was mentioned that other than Lahore, there are only  13 members from Sindh area (Karachi & Hyderabad) , 3 from Khyber Pukhtoonkhawa  and 1 from Baluchistan. Hence for such meager number of members, the maintenance of Regional offices is  not economical at present.  However we should  plans to establish Regional office at Karachi provided the number of members increases there to 50 members.  We should request our members at Karachi to try to enhance our membership there . 

Any initial expenses involved will be met out of Association resources. Special contributions will be called from members if need arises.  Running expenses will be met  through annual membership fees from members of that area.