Beijing (TDI): Pakistan’s sports goods exports to China rose by 6.68 per cent in the first 11 months of 2024, statistics confirmed on Tuesday.
According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, China imported basketballs, footballs, and volleyballs worth USD 10.7 million from Pakistan during the said period.
This growth highlights Pakistan’s increasing reputation as a hub for high-quality sports goods and reflects the strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Pakistan has a long history of manufacturing high-quality sporting items, particularly in Sialkot and other towns. Expert craftspeople are well known for their ability to create footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, and other related items.
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However, over time, the industry’s expansion has been constrained by limited access to international markets.
Pakistan now has a big chance to reach a wider audience thanks to China. China, the greatest industrial force in the world, has a vast economy, cutting-edge technology, and an extensive trade network that might revolutionize Pakistan’s sports goods sector, according to CEN.
Sheikh Mohammad Shariq, Chief Representative of the National Bank of Pakistan in China, observed that growing fitness awareness among China’s middle class and government-backed health initiatives have created a strong demand for sports equipment.
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Sialkot’s footballs, already a key export, remain popular, while basketballs and volleyballs are gaining traction due to their rising use in Chinese schools and professional leagues.
Shariq claims that this increase in exports shows how Pakistan and China are getting closer, especially in light of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) concept.
Pakistani producers are also changing to keep up with international trends, going beyond conventional goods to provide creative designs that appeal to a wide range of sports fans throughout the globe. The Small & Medium Enterprises Association of Pakistan’s chairman, Sony Iqbal, stressed that this change is assisting the sector in reaching a wider audience.
Leaders in the industry have hope for the future. Mohammad Ahmed, a well-known Sialkot exporter, said: “We have modernized our training programs and equipment to meet international standards.”
The growing demand for our goods in China encourages us to investigate new international markets and demonstrates that our efforts are having an impact.
