KASUR: Kasur leather industry, one of the largest in Pakistan, sees bright prospects as Pakistan and Bangladesh develop direct trade ties, following a political change in Bangladesh.

Local traders who met Bangladesh High Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan last week see business opportunities with Bangladesh after its high commissioner`s visit to the city.

During his visit to Kasur, he met the leather manufacturers. He also visited the tanneries in the Dingar, Niaznagar and Iqbalnagar areas.

Tanneries Association Kasur President Muhammad Yousaf Saqlain told Dawn that the trade between the two countries in the leather sector would be fruitful for both the countries and boost the industry. He, however, said it would take some time to reach the expected level of trade as since 2000, the traders from both sides had not visited each other`s markets. That`s why, he added, timewas required to understand the needs of each other from the global perspective.

Mr Saqlagin said some local traders would soon visit the Bangladesh manufacturers and market places to exchange views with the businesses there. He appreciated the governments of two countries for their lenient policies for visas and other facilities for the traders.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan met the owners of the leather and leather product manufacturing units in an effort to boost bilateral trade between the two countries. He also visited tanneries and the units manufacturing leather products.

After the ouster of Sheilch Hasina and her Awami League government, the two countries are striving to develop better diplomatic and trade relations.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Khansaid in order to facilitate and encourage the traders, both countries were making their visa regimes more lenient for business travel.

He said the leather sector was apriority industrial sector and Kasur was a hub of leather industry, comprising over 300 tanneries, using modern and environment friendly techniques. He said both the countries had ample opportunities to worl( together in the leather sector. He said Bangladesh was exporting raw and semi-processed leather to Pakistan but there was a disaster of business during the past few years.

Expressing hope, he said, his country could export hides and raw leather to Pakistan soon after the Eidul A zha. He said Bangladesh had its leather industry but it was on a smaller scale, that`s why there was a room for both the countries tosupportandinvestineachother.

Answering a question regarding contamination out of the industry, the high commissioner said when the leather units were in the old city of Dhaka, they were affecting the lives of people but, in the larger interest of people, the industry was shifted out of the capital to a place where modern and environment-friendly techniques were ensured.