Government urged to declare Sialkot as 'Cottage City'

The world has recognised Sialkot as export-oriented city of Pakistan and Sialkot has developed a remarkable export culture over the period and contributing over 1.5 billion dollars annually to the national exchequer. In order to secure small and medium culture of Sialkot, the government should declare Sialkot as "Cottage City" and a special package of incentives and concessions should be announced for the upgradation and modernisation of small and medium sector.
The Sialkot exporter community is trying its utmost for doubling the export volume despite tough competition in the global market for fetching valuable foreign exchange for country. Undoubtedly, small and medium enterprises are playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer but also providing employment to thousands people belonging to Sialkot and its adjoining areas.
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 business community of Sialkot is playing a tremendous role not only to enhance exports, but also fulfilling the social responsibilities and uplift of the city on voluntarily basis. Sialkot is supplying.
over 85 percent of total production of soccer balls of the world. The soccer ball industry of Sialkot is 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 protect the soccer ball industry. In addition to this, the business community had managed to develop the culture of "Do it yourself" under which several projects including Sialkot International Airport had been completed successfully.
Keeping in view the contribution and importance of Sialkot, the Punjab government should declare Sialkot as "Cottage City" for larger national interests of SMEs. Business community has appealed to the Punjab and federal governments that special attention should be focused on setting up IT Park in this historic and totally export-oriented city of the country.