Prolonged electricity load shedding has crippled the production activities and exporters' community was unable to accomplish foreign orders within time. The government was creating step by step hurdles by increasing electricity and petroleum prices resultantly, the cost of production has been increased to many folds besides, the foreign buyers were hesitating to give fresh orders to the exporters because of power load shedding.
If the situation remains the same Pakistan will lose its grip in international market as a result of which the buyers will surely consider to divert their business to other countries for accomplishment of their orders. It was very unfortunate that concerned authorities including Commerce Ministry and Trade Development Authority (TDAP) are failed in reducing the miseries of business community which is the backbone of national economy and employment bank. The exporters and manufacturers were considering on two options that are closing down or shifting their establishments to other countries, for hurdle-free business activities.
In other words the exporters and manufacturers are reluctant to "Do More" because local business community was doing business as family business and they have not extra money to continue their business under the prevailing situation.
Sialkot as total export-oriented city of Pakistan and possesses century-old industrial heritage. It has developed a remarkable export culture over the period and contributing more than 1.2 billion dollars to the national exchequer annually. The industrial sector of this export-oriented city was facing shortage of trained and skilled manforce since long time. Keeping in view the fast changing trends of the world, there was a great need of introducing most modern training opportunities for the trainers in accordance with the demands of local industry.
Under the prevailing situation Federal and Punjab governments should take immediate action for setting up training centres for producing maximum skilled and semi-skilled trained industrial workers for catering the needs of sports goods and surgical industry etc. The induction of trained industrial workers would help increase the overall production and ensure quality manufacturing and ultimately supportive in enhancing the export-volume.
Still the exporter community is trying its utmost for doubling the export volume despite of tough competition in the world market for fetching valuable foreign exchange for the country. Undoubtedly, the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) were playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer but also providing employment to thousands workers in Sialkot.
In order to develop true and secure "Small and Medium Culture" of Sialkot the government should formulate a special package of incentives and concessions for SMEs of the area for increasing the export volume to many folds and to redress their problems. The development of cottage industries in Sialkot has assumed a model status for the developing world. The city is sprinkled with thousands of small and medium enterprises, which are engaged in honouring their global commitments for export of valve-added quality goods 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. Over 3 lakh industrial workers only are working in both the industries and are earning their livelihood in a respectable way. Many researchers of different foreign universities are considering conducting research on the unique Export Culture of Sialkot, which is a hub of cottage industries and export-oriented city of Pakistan.
The researchers, focuses on ascertaining how the people of Sialkot are doing the export business successfully, where every third person is an exporter. The business community of Sialkot is playing a tremendous role not only in bringing boom in exports but also fulfilling the social responsibilities and the 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 export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry of the country. The success story of Sialkot based industries can be attributed to unmatched skill of local workers and their craftsmanship.
The soccer ball industry had 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. The business community had managed to develop the culture of "Do it yourself" in Sialkot under which the business community was playing a pivotal role for the development of the city and welfare of the people. For the construction of city roads and drains, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) initiated Sialkot City Package in collaboration with other trade bodies in the city. Under the programme exporters are voluntarily contributing 0.25 percent against their export invoices as a result of which many city roads and drains have been constructed. The mega project of Sialkot International Airport has become operational which has been constructed by the local business community on the basis of Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis costing over Rs 3 billion.
Despite of extraordinary contribution of the local exporters, the city was being ignored in many respects and deserved for a very special status. Keeping in view the importance and contribution of Sialkot, the city should be treated, as city of cottage industry and both federal and Punjab governments should announce special concessions and incentives for this export-oriented city for the larger interest of the SMEs.
The business community members have underscored the need of taking appropriate steps for giving practical shape to the mega project of Engineering University Sialkot which was thrown in a dustbin since long just for nothing resultantly, the exporters and manufacturers were confronting with multiple problems.
Furthermore, the trade bodies including Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) of this export-oriented city had demanded the exemption of Sialkot from electricity and Sui gas load shedding for ensuring smooth productivity and to keep the economic wheel in full motion. They were of the opinion that if Sialkot the export-city was exempted from electricity and Sui gas load shedding the export volume would be increased to many folds. The Exporters and Manufacturers engaged with Sports Goods industry and soccer balls have expressed their deep concern over the slow pace of mega projects of Sports Industries Development Centre (SIDC) and Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre (SBCC).