Local exporters have excelled in foreign trade and also paid special attention to fulfilling social responsibilities. — File Photo

SIALKOT: Sialkot is the only city of Pakistan where 99 per cent products are exported to various parts of the globe.

Through exports, small and medium industries of the city are earning foreign exchange worth over one billion dollars yearly and strengthening the national economy.

Local exporters have excelled in foreign trade and also paid special attention to fulfilling social responsibilities.

Exceptional achievements in the business aside, the corporate sector is fully vigilant to its responsibilities towards the social sector and played a significant role in this regard.

Sialkot-made footballs, field hockey sticks, cricket gear and boxing gloves are used in international games, including the Olympics and World Cups. Surgical and sports goods industries are the oldest ones that are playing a tremendous role not only in strengthening the national economy but also in providing employment opportunities to hundreds of workers.

Most developed countries are importing surgical instruments from Sialkot. Hundreds of surgeries are performed around the world daily by using instruments made in Sialkot. Thus, Sialkot made instruments is playing a silent and significant role in healing wounds and fighting diseases worldwide.

However, there is a great need of a separate business strategy for Sialkot keeping in view its unique export culture and craftsmanship, businessmen said.

Despite several internal problems like the power crisis and law and order, local exporters and manufacturers are fulfilling their international commitments to keep the national economic wheel in full motion and compete in the global market.

Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry called for bringing a radical change in the industrial sector of the city and formulating a separate business plan for the city for enhancing its productivity and bringing innovation to products to cope with challenges of the international market.

The SCCI President said industrial technology had improved production worldwide but due to lack of funds and government support, Pakistan's industrial sector lagged behind.  “Upgrading the local industrial sector on modern lines is impossible without support and cooperation of the government,” he added.

“Timely support of the government will not only help modernize the local industrial sector but also enhance the export volume to manyfold,” he added.

Ghulam Mustafa said, “It is our national duty to think positively and play a role in bringing out the country out of the economic crisis and work together for economic uplift of the country.”