Leather institute gets latest technology

SIALKOT, April 30: An Innovative Leather Products Technology Unit established by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) was inaugurated at the Leather Products Development Institute (LPDI) here on Saturday. Shadia Yousif Bakhait, UNIDO representative in Pakistan, and Muhammad Younis, who is chairman of the Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA), performed the inauguration. UNIDO has successfully implemented a project for provision of latest technology to upgrade leather training institutes. During the execution of this project, technology has been transferred to LPDI which is being managed by PGMEA. The project was implemented as a component of UNIDO's 'One UN Program' in Pakistan. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Shadia expressed her satisfaction over the successful transfer of technology and the cooperation offered by the PGMEA during the implementation of the project. She said that Sialkot was a model city for industrial activities in Pakistan and local industrialists must be appreciated for contributing to enhancing industrial activities on the one hand to ensuring the development of the city on the other. The leather sector is one of the main sources of earning foreign exchange. According to an estimate, total export of leather products is around $1 billion out of which Sialkot's share is $450 million. Under the auspices of UNIDO, a six-member delegation of leather products' manufacturers and exporters visited leading leather units in Turkey in December 2010 to grasp the latest technology.— Correspondent