Sialkot products attract foreign demand

Australia seeking import of surgical instruments, sports goods.

SIALKOT:

The Australian government is planning to initiate a joint venture with Pakistan to strengthen bilateral relations.

Speaking at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce Industry (SCCI), Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tim George said the Australian market was searching for items produced in Sialkot, including leather products, surgical instruments and sports goods.

George appreciated efforts of local businessmen for making their mark in the global business environment, especially with regards to import and export of valuable items, and promised to ease business visa formalities for the Pakistani business community.

He pointed out that Australia was the 13th largest country in the world and was making headway into every field—be it industry or agriculture, communication, or machinery.

A senior SCCI member informed George that huge amounts of time and money could be saved by using the Sialkot airport, instead of the Dubai and Sharjah airports. He added that Sialkot was the only export-oriented city in Pakistan, where almost hundred per cent of items produced were exported to all parts of the world. Sialkot-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are earning foreign exchange worth $1.25 billion annually.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th,  2011.