Sialkot is globally known for its quality products and craftsmanship besides since this place possesses century old industrial heritage. It has developed a remarkable export culture over the period and is contributing more than I.5 billion dollars to the national exchequer annually.
Still the exporters 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 manifolds 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 1.20 lakh industrial workers only are engaged with 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 would penetrate on ascertaining how Sialkoties 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 of other trade bodies in the city. Sialkot international airport is functioning successfully catering the needs of business community and general public of Golden Triangle (Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat) of Gujranwala division.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2015

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