Sialkot is an entirely export-oriented city of Pakistan and possesses century-old industrial heritage. It has developed a remarkable export culture over the period and is contributing more than US 1.2 billion dollars annually to the national exchequer.
The industrial sector of the export-oriented city is facing shortage of trained and skilled workforce for many years. In the fast changing trends of the world, there is a great need of introducing most modern training opportunities for the trainers in accordance with the demands of the industry. Still, the exporters' community is trying its utmost for doubling the export volume, despite tough competition in the world market, for fetching valuable foreign exchange for the country.
Undoubtedly, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer besides providing employment to thousands of workers. The development of cottage industries in Sialkot has become a model status for the developing world. The city has been sprinkled with thousands of SMEs engaged in honouring their global commitments for the export of valve-added quality goods such as sports goods, surgical instruments, leather goods, gloves and badges.
In order to develop and secure SMEs culture, government should formulate a special package of incentives and concessions for increasing the export volume manifolds and redressing the sector's problems.
Sialkot city has developed industrial edge over other cities of the country especially in sports goods and surgical instruments. Over 1.20 lakh (over 0.1 million) industrial workers only are engaged with both the industries and are earning their livelihood in a respectable way. Moreover, many researchers of different foreign universities are considering conducting research on the unique export culture of the city, which is a hub of cottage industries.
These researchers would penetrate on ascertaining how Sialkot dwellers are doing the export business successfully and every third person is an exporter. The business community of Sialkot is playing a tremendous role not only in bringing a boom in the exports, but also fulfilling social responsibilities and uplifting status 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 of the country. The success story of the industries can be attributed to the unmatched skills of local workers and their craftsmanship. The industry has also totally been purged from the menace of child labour and has become a role model for others to follow the same.
The business community has managed to develop the culture of "do it yourself " under which the community is playing a pivotal role for the development of the city and welfare of the people.
Regarding construction of city roads and drains, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) initiated Sialkot City Package in collaboration with other trade bodies. Under the programme, exporters are voluntarily contributing 0.25 percent against their export invoices as a result of which many roads and drains have been constructed. The mega project of Sialkot International Airport has become operational which has been constructed by the local business community on the basis of Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis costing over rupees three billion.
However, despite extraordinary contribution of the local exporters, the city is being ignored in many respects and deserves a very special status. Keeping in view the importance and contribution of the city, it should be treated as a city of cottage industry and both federal and Punjab governments should announce special concessions and incentives in the larger interest of the city's SMEs.
The business community members have underscored the need of taking appropriate steps for giving practical shape to the mega project of Engineering University Sialkot, which is in the doldrums since long, resultantly, the exporters and manufacturers are confronting multiple problems. Furthermore, trade bodies including SCCI have demanded exemption of the city from electricity and Sui gas load shedding for ensuring smooth productivity and keeping the economic wheel moving.
They are of the opinion that doing this would increase the export volume manifold. The exporters and manufacturers engaged with the sports goods industry and soccer balls have also expressed their deep concern over the slow pace of mega projects of Sports Industries Development Centre (SIDC) and Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre (SBCC).
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