Government, TDAP urged to ensure visit of foreign investors to Sialkot

The local exporter community has urged upon the federal government and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) that the visit of foreign investors and other trade delegations should be ensured to this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industries of the country.
Sialkot possesses a unique export culture, as a result of which many foreign companies were entering into joint ventures with local firms reflecting the confidence of multi-nationals in abilities of manufacturers of Sialkot. But it is very unfortunate that an opportunity of face-to-face had never been provided to the business community of Sialkot despite of unique export culture. The concerned authorities especially TDAP never dare to bring trade delegations in this export-oriented city and handsomely foreign exchange earner of the country.
With the passage of time the scope of joint ventures was widening day-by-day due to the personal efforts of the business community. Despite possessing rich export culture and bright opportunities of joint ventures in different trade fields Sialkot was being totally ignored, the visit of foreign trade delegation and investors restricted to other cities of the country by the concerned authorities.
At present Sialkot is exporting sports goods, surgical instruments, badges, musical instruments, soccer balls, cutlery and martial art uniforms amounting to one million dollars annually and growing at steady pace. Hundreds of SMEs are situated in and around city that are engaged in producing high quality goods for export to international markets. Traditionally, the people of Sialkot are generous, hardworking, creative and committed to their cause. The city has developed unique SME culture highly conducive to business collaborations and joint ventures in various industries in Sialkot.
Keeping in view the importance of export culture, an Export Processing Zone had been established, which is second biggest zone in the country, where special incentives, cheap labour and infrastructure facilities are available.
In addition to this, the mega project of Sialkot International Airport was functioning successfully and it is expected that export volume would further be increased with the functioning of airport in this export-oriented city. It is high time that all concerned high-ups especially TDAP and Commerce Ministry should concentrate on the visit of foreign trade delegations and investors to the city of Allama Iqbal and nucleus of cottage industry.