EXPORT CHALLENGES OF
CLUSTER ENTERPRISES
AND THE SIALKOT
EXPERIENCE
Dr. Sarfraz Bashir, Senior Vice President ,
Sailkot Chamber of Commerece
Export Challenges for SMEs in Sialkot
Largest concentration of Export Oriented SMEs
(Exports of about $ 900 million)
 SMEs operating under pressure because of
emerging quality standards and CSR issues
from international buyers
For Example:
 Last year the largest exporter of soccer balls
from Sialkot lost business due to CSR issues
effecting 60,000 people of Sialkot

Current Strategy to meet Export Challenges
Initiatives for Skill Development
 Introduction/upgradation of Technologies
 Awareness and adoption of new quality
standards for various markets
 Promote cluster approach to increase efficiency
and competitiveness

Cluster Enterprises

Cluster is a group of small firms operating in
a defined geographic location, producing
similar products or services, cooperating and
competing with one another, learning from
each other in order to overcome internal
problems, setting common strategies to
overcome external challenges, and reaching
distance
market
through
developed
networks.
Benefits of Clustering

Gains from clustering are through collective efficiency comprising external economies and joint actions that
facilitate growth and competitiveness of small-scale
industries.

Clustering can help SMEs to mobilise human and financial
resources.

Clustering raises the capacity to respond to crisis and
opportunities since the capabilities of specialised
clustering firms can be combined in many different ways.
Joint Initiative of Sialkot Enterprises to address
issues on self help basis

Business community in Sialkot has urge and
missionary spirit towards development of
industry, infra-structure, the city, and the social
sector

The SMEs join hands for organized clustering
to avert emerging challenges or crisis
Unique Examples of Cooperation among
cluster enterprises of Sialkot

This resulted into various projects in the social
sector, infrastructure development and
promotion of business activities like:

Sialkot Dry Port Trust

Road infrastructure has been improved through
Sialkot City Package programme.
Unique Examples of Cooperation among
cluster enterprises - Contd.
Sialkot International Airport.
 Sialkot Sports Industry Development Centre.
 Sialkot Tannery Zone.
 Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre.
 Product Development Centre for Composite
based sports goods.

Potential of SMEs in Sialkot Cluster

SME in Sialkot Cluster have huge potential of growth.

Most vibrant and successful SME model in the country

No proper recognition by the Government or the national
and International agencies in development of the
industrial cluster.

Potential of manifolds growth if the industry is properly
facilitated.
Support Required from EU
Request to European Commission and UNIDO for
technical and financial support for enterprises of
Sialkot cluster to:

Address Quality Standards and CSR issues.

Waste Water Treatment Plant for Sialkot Tannery Zone

Product Improvement and Designing

Branding, Labelling and Marketing Techniques
THANK YOU.