In a recent event, leading Pakistani tyre manufacturers and exporters announced that they plan to target several international markets with their products, and to achieve this they have successfully developed a new strategy. Currently, in their plan of action, they have outlined significant markets like Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East.
These tyre manufacturers also asserted that this strategy is attributed to multiple factors, one of which is that they are positive they can compete with their conventional counterparts in these markets. However, three Pakistani tyre manufacturers are already exporting their products to countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, as well as some African countries. Meanwhile, other similar markets like Yemen, Sudan, and Syria have not been easier to penetrate, mainly due to the United Nation sanctions on these countries.
In an interview given to a local newspaper, Mr. Rizwan Shah, International Panther Tyres Sales Manager stated, “We are confident that we can compete in high-end markets like Europe and the Middle East keeping in view the fact we produce quality tyres and tubes and market them at attractive prices.”
Mr. Shah further added, “We are already supplying tyres for bikes, tubes for light trucks and tractors in the Turkish market.” This is a good sign as it indicates they already have some level of exposure to working in these markets, which will most definitely help further their cause in the coming days.
Additionally, in April, Turkey will be again holding its leading international trade fair for the automotive industry known as ‘Automechanika Istanbul,’ named after the capital itself in which it is held.
This year nearly a dozen auto parts manufacturing companies including General Tyre are fully prepared to showcase their products in this event. This will not only help promote their products inside the Turkish market but in other countries as well, chiefly because it is a popular event attended by visitors from all over the globe.
Likewise, in an effort to support the local manufacturers, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), which is responsible for managing and souring global trade development for the country will be establishing a pavilion at this event.
During this interview, Mr. Shah also shed light on their competition with the neighboring country (India) as well. He said that, even though the Panther Tyres are already exporting their products to markets like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, UAE, and multiple Middle Eastern countries, India still enjoys an advantage over Pakistan, because of its status as world’s fourth largest rubber producer and due to its strong steel industry, which is a crucial ingredient used in the process of creating tyres.
Despite these obstacles, General Tyre plans to increase their tyres export. Their official spokesperson said, “We are in talks with some Middle Eastern and African markets and are focusing on high-end markets including Turkey.”
The designated company official also shared details regarding the expansion of their inventory to meet the gradually increasing local demand and their vision to expand to the global markets. He said, “Because of this investment, the plant capacity of producing tyres has increased from 1.7 million to 2.5 million, meeting almost one-third of the country’s demand”.
Lastly, in order to promote Pakistani brands in the international markets, he urged the government to support local manufacturers by removing vital obstacles via policies that will promote ease of doing business. As it will not only increase our economy’s export and help reduce the balance of payment deficit but will generate employment opportunities inside the country as well.
Local tyre producers are gearing up to take their products onto the world stage; it would be interesting to see how they intend to market their products in the global markets along with their bid to provide quality products at attractive prices and how the government intend to support them throughout different stages. To know more about tyre prices in Pakistan.
