The world has recognised Sialkot as 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 huge foreign exchange to the national exchequer annually. The Sialkot 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, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer but also providing employment to thousands workers in Sialkot.
In order to develop true and secure 'small and medium culture' of Sialkot the government should formulate a special package of incentives and concessions for SMEs of the area for increasing the export volume to manifold by redressing their genuine problems.
The development of cottage industries in Sialkot has assumed a model status for the developing world. The city is sprawling with thousands of small and medium enterprises, which are engaged in honouring their global commitments for export of value-added quality goods such as sports goods, surgical instruments, leather goods, gloves, badges, musical instruments, etc, and is earning foreign exchange of 41 billion rupee annually.
The Sialkot city has developed industrial edge over other cities of the country especially in sports goods and surgical instruments. Over 0.12 million industrial workers only are engaged with both the industries and are earning their livelihood in a respectable way.
Many researchers of different foreign universities are considering conducting research on the unique Export Culture of Sialkot, which is a hub of cottage industries and export-oriented city of the country.
They would keen to understand how the people of Sialkot are doing the export business successfully where every third person is an exporter.
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 70 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 and the hub of cottage industry of the country.
The success story of Sialkot-based industries can be attributed to unmatched skill of local workers and their craftsmanship.
The soccer ball industry of Sialkot was alleged by foreign print and electronic media for the involvement of child labour in stitching of balls. In this regard, a prompt action was taken by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to tackle the situation and protecting the soccer ball industry of the area.
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.
It is a vivid fact that the Sialkot exporters are the roaming ambassadors of Pakistan which are not only travelling for introducing the Pakistan-made products, but also compete the global market for fetching foreign exchange for the country.
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 in the development of the city and welfare of its people.
For the construction of city roads and drains, the Sialkot Chamber 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 of which many city roads and drains have been constructed.
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 1,570 million and the work on this project is in full swing.
It is expected that the cargo flights would be started from Sialkot international airport in April next while passenger flights would be begin in July 2005.
The Sialkot International Airport is a unique project in the private sector and first of its kind in not only in the country but also South-East Asia. Despite extra-ordinary contribution of the local exporters, the city was being ignored in many respects and deserved for a very special status.
Keeping in view the importance and contribution of Sialkot, the Punjab government should establish 'City for Cottage Industry' in this export-oriented city for the larger interest of the SMEs.
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