Exporters and trade bodies have urged the federal government that Sialkot should be declared export processing zone (EPZ) for a considerable increase in export volume. Sialkot is an export-oriented city and a hub of cottage industry of the country and has been exporting its 98 percent products to various parts of world and earning 1.20 billion dollars through export of its quality goods like soccer balls, surgical instruments, sports goods, leather goods, musical instruments, etc.
If EPZ status is given to this city it would be much supportive not only in enhancing the export volume but also to help in generating employment opportunities in the area. In addition to this, EPZ status would attract the local business community of Sialkot and also its adjoining areas in further accelerating the pace of export activities.
The trade bodies said that the government take bold step to give 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 the Punjab government to take rational steps for setting up mini industrial estates to facilitate the small exporters and manufacture. They suggested that mini industrial estates should be set up in the 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 would 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 are 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.
The industrial performance is based on the teamwork involving in-house production and outsourcing to vendors and in this modern era it is vital to uplift and upgrade the facilities of these small vendors, so that they could provide quality products to the established exporters. It is a project of national importance relating to exports and the government should pay special attention on it by allocating necessary funds for purchasing 25 to 30 acres of land to provide three and five marla plots to small manufacturers/vendors.
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