SIALKOT, March 19: Exports of surgical instruments from Sialkot recorded a decline of Rs298 million in February 2004 because of over 100 per cent increase in prices of pig iron and other materials and their non-availability.

This was disclosed by Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) senior vice-president Zahid Latif Malik while talking to reporters here on Friday. He said that more than 100 per cent increase in prices of pig iron and materials (used in surgical instruments manufacturing) and their non-availability had put the century-old Sialkot's export-oriented surgical industry into severe crisis.

The SCCI SVP voiced concern over skyrocketing prices of pig iron, steel sheets and other related materials and their prolonged non-availability. He feared that this critical situation would result in further decline in surgical exports from Sialkot.

Mr Malik feared that hundreds of surgical export orders were likely to be cancelled as the local manufacturers and exporters were unable to timely deliver their export consignments to their foreign customers because of this crisis.

He said that if this crisis persisted the government's export target of $12 billion could not be achieved. He urged the government to take some urgent and effective steps for bringing down prices of these materials, besides ensuring their easy availability in the local market.

Meanwhile, the Daska Engineering and Industrial Association in its meeting has again expressed concern over the rise in prices of pig iron and steel sheets.

Association's president Baba Khalil Mughal said that non-availability of pig iron and steel sheets had forced the manufacturers to close down their foundries, farm machinery and surgical forging units.

He said that hundreds of foundries, farm machinery manufacturing and surgical forging units in Sialkot city, Daska, Mandranwala, Bhopalwala, Sambrial, Begowala, Uggoki, Jaamkey Cheema, Motra, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana and surrounding rural areas had already been closed. The hike in prices of raw iron and other related materials has also badly affected 122 cutlery manufacturing units in Wazirabad.