Chinese footwear team commits major investment

LAHORE : A Chinese footwear delegation, representing the Guangdong Shoe Manufacturers Association and Guangdong Shoe Materials Association, met with Ms. Rafia Syed, Director General of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Lahore, the other day.

The director general welcomed the delegation, discussed mutual interests, and affirmed the government’s commitment to providing maximum facilitation to Chinese businessmen and investors. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Mansoor Ehsan, Chairman of the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association (PFMA), and Mr. Ahmad Fawad, Secretary General of PFMA.

Hosted by PFMA and facilitated by TDAP, the Chinese delegation toured various footwear factories in Lahore and Sheikhupura, engaging in productive B2B meetings with the Pakistani footwear business community. The objective of these visits and meetings was to allow the Chinese delegation to gain an in-depth understanding of the Pakistani footwear market, thereby enabling them to make informed investment decisions.

Following their assessment, the Chinese footwear delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PFMA. In the first phase, the Chinese will invest RMB 50 million (approximately PKR 2 billion) in the Pakistani footwear industry. Upon the success of the initial investment and the achievement of the desired results, a further investment worth RMB 500 million (approximately PKR 20 billion) is planned. This subsequent phase will focus on footwear manufacturing, sourcing, and developing the supply chain of materials in Pakistan.

The director general highlighted the substantial investment potential in Pakistan and the critical role of TDAP. She emphasised that the footwear sector is a vital part of Pakistan’s manufacturing industry, significantly contributing to exports, employment, and economic growth. Pakistan is the 7th largest consumer of footwear in the world, employing around 1 million people in the sector. Ms. Rafia Syed thanked the delegation for their visit and encouraged them to invest in the Pakistani footwear sector with confidence and optimism.