Musical instruments industry seeks government support
SIALKOT: Business community engaged with musical instruments industry seeks government’s special attention and support for the modernisation and upgradation of the industry and demanded special incentives and concessions for enhancing export of musical instruments.
More than hundred year old musical instrument industry of Sialkot was totally ignored by the concerned authorities and no steps have been taken for modernisation of the industry as a result of which the manufacturers were still using the old and stereotyped manufacturing techniques in this modern era.
According to Sialkot Dry Port sources, the exports of musical instruments was during 2007-08 was Rs 3 million while in 2009 Rs 2 million which indicate a sharp decline in the export. The industry was producing various musical instruments without government’s support and with help of stereotyped techniques and exporting to United States and European countries.
The local musical instruments manufacturers were producing Western type of musical instruments having become much popular in the world. The obtaining of modern technology has become more imperative at this juncture for producing quality musical instruments in accordance with the changing global trends and to enhance the exports as well as to stay in international market.
Some leading manufacturers and exporters of musical instruments when contacted to ascertain the causes of decline in export said that it was due to the tough competition in international market. Despite of lack of modern technology and techniques the local industry was competing with the competitors in the global market and considerably contributing to the national exchequer.
The manufacturers were of the opinion that government should take special steps for obtaining Technology for tracking the industry on modern production lines. The attaining of cheap technology has become more imperative at this juncture to cope with the global requirements and demands easily because the trend of the musical instruments has totally been changed. Keeping in view the rapid and sharp change in trends, the government should help exporters and manufacturers in getting electronic techniques from different countries for ensuring the manufacturing of electronic musical instruments, which are in great demand in international market.
The government should allow duty-free import of raw material like ebony wood, brass and copper rod used in manufacturing of musical instruments, they demanded. It may be mentioned that the ebony-wood was being imported from Africa, Kenya and Tanzania at very high cost with imported duty.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:11/27/2010
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