Local exporter community has appealed to the Punjab government to set up 'expo center' in this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry of the country. The establishment of expo center in this export hub has become more imperative at this juncture keeping in view the fast changing business trends globally.
Local businessmen believe that the expo center would enable Sialkot industrialists to hold international and domestic trade fair and industrial exhibitions in the area.
Mostly, the expo centres have been established in big cities where airport facility is available. It may be mentioned here that cargo flights from Sialkot International Airport would be started in mid of June this year.
The functioning of airport in the area would surely open new horizon of industrial development in Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat, which would help in increasing the export volume.
It would be much supportive not only in boosting up the export but also provide wide range multiple opportunities to foreign buyers to visit this export-oriented city to study its unique export culture.
Hundreds of small and medium sized industries are functioning in and around Sialkot and fetching foreign exchange to tune of 800 million dollars annually. Sialkot is globally known for its quality products, manufacturing value-added goods like sports goods, surgical instruments, leather goods, gloves, musical instruments, military uniform badges etc.
Apart from that, the development of cottage industries in Sialkot has assumed a model status for the developing world. The Sialkot exporters are the 'roaming ambassadors' of Pakistan, who are not only travelling for fetching the highly valuable foreign exchange for the country but also making efforts to introduce the country through their products.
The surgical instruments, sports goods and soccer balls produced in Sialkot were dominating in global market while the sports goods like football; field hockey sticks and cricket gear are used in all international games, including Olympic games and world cup matches.
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.
Surgical industry of Pakistan is enjoying the monopolistic position globally because no other country can produce surgical instruments in price ranging and quality. Pakistan's surgical instruments are most economical in the world coupled with unconditional guarantee of finest quality besides world-renewed companies of surgical are entering into joint ventures with Pakistani companies.
Surgical industry represents manufacturers and exporters of surgical instruments, dental instruments, veterinary, pedicure and manicure items, tailor scissors, barber scissors and beauty saloon instruments. There are about 1300 small and medium surgical units functioning in and close to Sialkot with labour force ranging to 10-500, Total number of workers in surgical industry is about 60,000.
The surgical industry is manufacturing about 100 million instruments annually besides manufacturing disposable instruments, which constitute 60 percent and reusable instruments 40 percent of the export.
Leather and its products have also received appreciation in the world market despite being a relatively new industry. The leather garments, leather gloves and textile sports wear manufactured in Sialkot are competing with other countries in quality and price. The hand embroidered badges and uniforms accessories have also achieved good reputation in the international market.
On voluntarily basis, the local business community is playing a tremendous role in bringing boom in exports besides fulfilling the social responsibilities and the uplift of the city. It is expected that the government would pay proper heed on the proposal of setting up of expo center at earliest possible.
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