Government urged to formulate special package for Sialkot SMEs

Sialkot is a totally export-oriented city of Pakistan and possesses centuries-old industrial heritage. It has developed a remarkable export culture over this period and is contributing more than 1.30 billion dollars to the national exchequer annually.
Despite serious financial constraints and electricity load shedding crisis the exporters' community is trying its utmost for doubling the current exports volume, for fetching valuable foreign exchange for the country, in the face of tough competition in the world market.
In this effort, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are playing a significant role not only in strengthening the national exchequer but also in providing employment to thousands of workers in Sialkot. In order to develop true and secure 'small and medium enterprises culture' of Sialkot, the government should formulate a special package of incentives and concessions for SMEs of the area for increasing the exports volume to manifold 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, musical instruments, etc.
The city has developed industrial edge over other cities of the country especially in sports goods and surgical instruments. Over 0.12 million industrial workers are engaged these two industries and are earning their livelihood in a respectable way. Many researchers of different foreign universities are considering to conduct research on the unique export culture of Sialkot, which is a hub of cottage industries and export-oriented city of Pakistan.
The researchers would concentrate 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 voluntary basis.
Over 85 percent of total production of soccer balls of the world comes from Sialkot while all international brands are sourcing their supply of footballs from this city. The success story of Sialkot-based industries can be attributed to unmatched skill of local workers and their craftsmanship.
The soccer balls industry has totally been purged of child labour and Sialkot has become a role model for others to follow for elimination of child labour. The business community of Sialkot has managed to develop the culture of 'Do it yourself' under which it is playing a pivotal role for the development of the city and welfare of the people.
For construction of city roads and drains, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has initiated 'Sialkot City Package' in collaboration with other trade bodies in the city. Under the programme, the exporters are voluntarily contributing 0.25 percent of their export invoices, as a result of which, many city roads and drains have been constructed/repaired. 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 2 billion.
Despite extraordinary contribution by local exporters, the city is being ignored in many respects and deserves 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 city in larger interests of the SMEs.
The provincial government should take steps for setting up an 'SMEs industrial estate' enabling the SMEs to establish their units in this proposed industrial estate. In Sialkot, majority of the SMEs are running their business in their homes or in rented buildings situated in residential areas and creating multifarious problems for the dwellers. Keeping in view the problem, the government should take initiatives for setting up small industrial estates for SMEs in and around Sialkot to facilitate the SMEs.