More support to surgical industry urged

KARACHI: President, Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, Mian Zahid Hussain on Wednesday said that Pakistan surgical instrument industry has potential to cater to 90 percent demand of the world, but this sector is short of modern machinery and equipment.

China and Mexico were emerging as the strong competitors. These countries not only have cheap labour but availability of superior technology for innovation and better materials for manufacturing, he said while talking to a delegation from this sector, said a statement.

Mian Zahid Hussain said marketing was a basic problem in developing local brands. Since 95 percent of the surgical industry operates in the SME sector, there was need for a common facility centre, which would help reduce the cost of production. Despite of reasonable growth in exports in the recent years this sector lacked product diversification, branding and effective marketing.

The business leader said that Pakistan's surgical instruments were the most economical in the world coupled with the guarantee of finest quality.

Pakistan had big potential to exploit the international market of surgical instruments as it had large workforce, talent, skills, resources, strengths and opportunities.