Keeping in view the "Success story" of Sialkot, the government should announce the setting up of "Allama Iqbal cyber city" in Sialkot, the birthplace of great philosopher and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, in the acknowledgement of the services and contributions of this export-oriented city.
World trotters have introduced Sialkot as total export-oriented city of Pakistan. Since this place possesses century old industrial heritage, it has developed a remarkable export culture over the period and contributing US 900 million dollars to the national exchequer annually.
Still the exporters' community was trying its utmost for doubling the export volume despite of tough competition in the world market for fetching valuable foreign exchange for the country.
Undoubtedly, the small and medium enterprise (SMEs) were playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer but also providing employment to thousands of workers in Sialkot, which is the only export-oriented city in Pakistan, where 99 percent items produced are exported to all parts of the world.
The development of cottage industries in Sialkot has assumed a model status for the developing world. The city is sprinkled with thousands of SMEs, which are engaged in honouring their global commitments for export of valve-added quality goods such as sports goods, surgical instruments, leather goods, gloves, badges and musical instruments etc.
The city has developed industrial edge over other cities of the country especially in sports goods and surgical instruments. Over 0.12 million workers only are engaged with both the industries and are earning their livelihood in a respectable way.
Many foreign researchers were conducting research on unique export culture of the city. The business community of Sialkot is playing a tremendous role not only in bringing boom in exports but also fulfilling the social responsibilities and the uplift of the city on voluntarily basis.
Over 85 percent of total production of soccer ball of the world comes from Sialkot while all international brands are sourcing their supply of footballs from this export-oriented city. The success story of Sialkot based industries can be attributed to unmatched skill of local workers and their craftsmanship.
The soccer ball industry had totally been purged from the menace of child labour and Sialkot has set a role model for others to follow the same for the elimination of child labour.
The business community had managed to develop the culture of "Do it yourself " in Sialkot, under which the business community was playing a pivotal role for the development of the city and welfare of the people.
For the construction of city roads and drains, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) initiated Sialkot City Package in collaboration of other trade bodies in the city. Under the programme, exporters are voluntarily contributing 0.25 percent against their export invoices, as a result many city roads and drains have been constructed while the construction work on Paris road is in full swing.
The mega project of Sialkot International Airport is being constructed by the local business community on the basis of Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis costing over Rs 2 billion and work on this project is also in full swing.
It is expected that airport would be operational in first quarter of 2007. Sialkot International Airport is a unique project in private sector and first of its kind not only in the country but also South-East Asia.
The second biggest Export Processing Zone (EPZ) had been developed in Sialkot and the SCCI was making strenuous efforts for motivating foreign investors to invest in Sialkot EPZ. Sialkot had 40 percent share of the total ISO-9000 certified companies in the country, which reflects how the local manufacturers were quality conscious.
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