ISLAMABAD, Jul 01 (ABC): The government is set to invest Rs8.4 billion over five years to transform Pakistan’s footwear industry by upgrading the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) and allied training institutions that currently lack modern equipment, updated curricula and international linkages needed to meet global industry standards.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Ministry of Industries and Production will lead the proposed project through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). NAVTTC, TEVTAs and allied training institutions will serve as key executing partners. The initiative focuses on footwear manufacturing, design and skills development.
The footwear sector strategy aims to rebalance the leather export basket by 2039. It targets footwear exports of nearly $1.17 billion, or 47% of total leather exports. To achieve this goal, the sector must sustain annual growth of 12% to 14% over the next 15 years.
Focus on technology and workforce skills
The project will establish modern shoe production lines, CAD/CAM pattern-cutting systems, testing equipment and material libraries. It will also introduce competency-based curricula aligned with international manufacturing standards and buyer compliance requirements.
Workforce training forms a major component of the initiative. Short courses, diploma programmes and certification schemes will target students as well as existing industry workers. The training will focus on production quality, efficiency, compliance and export-oriented manufacturing practices.
Global partnerships to strengthen industry
The plan also proposes partnerships with leading footwear training and design institutions in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Vietnam. These collaborations will support curriculum benchmarking, faculty training, exchange programmes and exposure to advanced footwear production systems.
Funding and implementation framework
The government has proposed allocating Rs1.68 billion in FY2026-27, Rs3.36 billion in FY2027-28, Rs840 million in FY2028-29, Rs1.26 billion in FY2029-30 and Rs1.26 billion in FY2030-31. The total PSDP requirement stands at Rs8.4 billion, with no foreign exchange component mentioned in the project document.
SMEDA will coordinate implementation, while NAVTTC will align the initiative with the national skills framework.
PIFD will lead institutional upgradation, and provincial technical education authorities will deliver training where required. Footwear manufacturers and leather sector associations will help validate curricula and facilitate trainee placements.
Expected impact on exports
The project aims to upgrade training facilities, introduce internationally benchmarked curricula and build a stronger pipeline of skilled footwear workers. It also seeks to improve productivity, quality consistency and design capability across Pakistan’s footwear manufacturing industry.
The government has positioned the initiative as a key component of Pakistan’s broader export growth strategy. If implemented effectively, it can help the country shift from low-value footwear production to design-driven, compliance-ready and globally competitive manufacturing.
