Local business community has appealed to the federal government to declare Sialkot 'Tax-free' district for further accelerating the pace of trade and commerce activities and bringing big boom in the export volume in this export-oriented city.
The private sector has managed to develop the culture of 'do it yourself' under which the business community is playing a pivotal role in the development and welfare of people.
Under the same spirit roads and drains under Sialkot City Package had been completed while the mega project of Sialkot International Airport the local business community was constructing costing more than Rs 2 billion. Besides, the business community is planning to set-up food and vegetable processing / packing centre close to Sialkot International Airport.
The setting up of this centre would definitely help in exports of food and vegetable products from Sialkot airport. 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 900 million dollars annually to the national exchequer.
They urged upon government to announce a special package of incentives and concessions for upgradation and modernisation of small and medium sector. At present the business seeks financial help from the government in the projects of Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre, Sports Industries Development Centre and other future projects.
Undoubtedly, small and medium enterprises are playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer but also providing employment to thousands of workers in Sialkot. The development of cottage industries in Sialkot has assumed a model status for 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 products 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. About 0.12 million industrial workers were engaged with sports goods and surgical industries and are earning their livelihood in a respectable way. The business community is playing a tremendous role not only in bringing boom in exports, but also fulfilling the social responsibilities and 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 city. The soccer ball industry has 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.
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