ISLAMABAD, May 27 (NNN-PPI) -- On eve of FIFA Football World Cup 2006 in Germany from June 9, over 55.8 million Pakistan made footballs worth more than Rupees US$141. 2 million have been exported so far.
Manufacturers and exporters in Pakistani city of Sialkot specializing in soccer ball industry are making hectic efforts to meet demand of foreign buyers and ensure speedy and timely delivery of consignments.
Business sources say over 85 percent of total production of soccer balls in the world comes from Sialkot. All international brands are sourcing their supply of footballs from this export-oriented city and nucleus of cottage industry in Pakistan.
Over 40 million balls worth US$210 million are produced annually by some 60,000 highly skilled workforce of Sialkot, a city which enjoys a unique position in global trade with reference to sports goods.
Its main forte is hand stitched inflatable balls, which have been produced for almost a century now, and exported to world markets by 1000 plus entrepreneurs.
In 1980s, Sialkot gained international celebrity status when it produced Tango ball used in FIFA World Cup in 1982, which led to further growth of its soccer ball industry.
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