Though this news item is over a month old, but well, had to be mentioned. Sialkot does it again.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/130402/business/bn4.htm
SIALKOT–Chairman Sialkot Dry Port Muhammad Siddique Lone has said that over 30 lakh footballs would be exported from Sialkot during forthcoming Football World Cup.
Talking to The Nation at Sialkot Dry Port on Friday, he added tempo of manufacturing and exporting football has gained the momentum in this city and it is expected that number of export of footballs would be exceeded further. Muhammad Siddique Lone told that of three category like top match, practice and promotion footballs are being exported by different firms of this export-oriented city of the country.
Chairman SPD said, timely decision of President General Pervez Musharraf to join international coalition against terrorism has rescued the export sector from serious setback.
Undoubtedly, the Federal Government has adopted rational policies for creating business-friendly environment in the country aimed at stabilising the economy of the country, he was of the opinion. Siddique Lone said that timely decision of government for joining international coalition has not only protected the country from total isolation but also has increased the prestige of the country worldwide. Chairman Sialkot Dry Port highly appreciated for allocating Rs 90 million for initiating a very strong advertising campaign worldwide on eve of World Cup football matches.
In fact the government has taken the step for the promotion of “Sialkot Made” soccer balls during fast approaching Football World as well as to promote soccer ball industry of Sialkot, he added.
Siddique Lone further told that Sialkot is producing more than 70 per cent hand stitched total worldwide production of quality footballs and fulfilling the international demands.
The proposed advertising campaign will surlly create a center of attention of international companies, print and electronic media during the Football World Cup, he added. Siddique Lone further said that impact of this campaign will be certainly positive in future especially after the elimination of child labour from soccer ball industry of Sialkot.
The Sialkot Dry Port handles 3384 consignments weighing 6224 tonnes of the value of Rs 2865 million in export sector during March last.
He said that the export of sports was registered Rs 134 million, sports balls Rs 867 million, leather goods Rs 521 million, gloves Rs 247 million, cotton goods Rs 42 million, Nylon goods Rs 191 million, knives Rs 104 million, furniture Rs 3 million, Rice Rs 6 million, machinery Rs 1 million, martial art Rs 94 million, cutlery Rs 17 million, musical instruments Rs 13 million, badges Rs 1 million and miscellaneous items Rs 28 million