ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is the seventh largest producer of footwear globally even though it contributes less than one percent to global exports, according to WealthPK.
According to a report compiled by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), Pakistan is also the seventh largest consumer of footwear with 2.2 percent of the global market share.
Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on March 14 showed that footwear exports in February hit $18.224 million, a 35.5 percent increase compared to January when exports were $12.650 million.
During July-February 2021-2022, total footwear exports (12,099) were worth $103.633 million, while in the same period of last year 11,092 units worth $88.050 million were exported. In the categories of footwear, leather-made footwear contributed the most with $83.129 million.
Pakistan has a large and vibrant footwear base that caters to the local market and exports footwear to around 60 countries including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Dubai, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the UK, and the USA.
All types of footwear manufacturing facilities are available, including direct injection, Strobel, lasted, California, safety, and hand-stitched. Pakistan is one of the very few countries in the world that make hand-stitched shoes.
According to manufacturers, Pakistani designers are well-trained which helps the country compete in the national and international markets with new designs. New technologies like 3D designing, digitizing, pattern making, and automatic cutting were also available.
Carlos Cunha, CEO of the Clique Shoes, Portugal, said Pakistan was a country with a huge potential because of their own production of leather and a large number of young people coming into the shoe business.
Jos Spapens (Holland), who has been in Pakistan since 2016, said Pakistan could become a bigger supplier in the world because of good quality of shoes and lower cost of production.
According to the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA) report, Pakistan produces more than one million pairs of shoes daily. The shoe industry can become more productive and lucrative if some hindrances can be removed.
Though Pakistan is the seventh largest manufacturer of footwear in the world, still it has not increased its share well enough in the global market.
To increase its share, Pakistan must establish a long-term plan, which includes promoting supporting industries such as the leather industry. Similarly, promotion of foreign direct investment (FDI), collaboration, joint venture, and skill transfers are the key measures to boost contribution of the footwear industry to the national and international markets.
INP
