'Sialkot should be given EPZ status'

Almost all trade bodies, manufacturers and exporters urged upon the Federal Government that Sialkot should be declared Export Processing Zone (EPZ) for a considerable increase in export volume
Sialkot is export-oriented city and a hub of cottage industry of the country and it is exporting 98 percent products to various parts of world and earning US 1.20 billion dollars through export of its quality goods like soccer balls, surgical instruments, sports goods, leather goods and musical instruments, etc.
The business community would play its responsible role in enhancing the volume of trade volume to many folds If EPZ status is given to this export-oriented city; besides, it will also help in generating the employment opportunities in the area. In addition to this, EPZ status would attract the local business community of Sialkot also its adjoining areas that will further accelerate the pace of export activities.
Expressing their confidence they said that government should take drastic steps for giving the status of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to Sialkot and enable the business community to play its instrumental and responsible role in accelerating the export activities and strengthening national exchequer. Apart from this, some small exporters have urged upon the Punjab to take rational steps for setting up mini-industrial estates to facilitate the small exporters and manufacturers. They suggested that mini-industrial estates should be set up in ignored and far-off areas for edging out the rapid rural migration towards the city.
The establishment of mini-industrial estates in neglected areas would not only help reduce the rapid rural migration towards the city but also be supportive in generating employment opportunities at local levels. Currently a large number of industrial workers belonging to Pasrur, Narowal, Zafarwal, Daska and Sambrial are coming daily to Sialkot for their employment purposes and thousands skilled and semi skilled workers were engaged with local industries like soccer ball, surgical instruments, leather, gloves and martial art uniforms manufacturing. The setting of mini-industrial estates in ignored areas would not only ensure employment opportunities to workers at their doorsteps but also help in changing the life style of these areas as well as further accelerate industrial activities.
The establishment of "Mini Estates" would play a pivotal role in promoting the cottage industry and generating employment opportunities for the jobless, skilled and semi-skilled workers besides this step would also be helpful in producing new vistas of industrial development and prosperity in the area. Some drastic steps direly needed for accommodating the vending industry.