The Executive Committee of the Surgical Instrument Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, Sialkot (Simap), has expressed deep concern over the fact that the surgical industry is being overlooked completely by Government.
In a resolution, passed in recently held meeting of the Executive Committee, the Association observed that first, in the Federal Budget 2006-07 and now in the recently announced Trade Policy 2006-07, no relief or support measures have been awarded to this industry. All the recommendations of the Association for Budget and Trade Policy were completely neglected and no concrete measures for betterment of surgical industry have been announced.
Meanwhile, Senior Vice Chairman of the Association, Aamir Riaz Bhinder, in a statement, has said that surgical exports from Sialkot are showing downward trend owing to certain factors. High production cost, increase in utility charges, high export financing, drastic decrease in duty drawback, price war and lack of Research & Development support are some major factors of this shaky performance.
He added that current exports of surgical equipment from Sialkot stand at US $183 million, whereas, the world market for such equipment is worth US $30 Billion.
Aamir Bhinder further added that if appropriate and required support is provided to this industry, which is providing livelihood to more than 150,000 people, then we could increase surgical export manifolds in 3 to 4 years' time.