Cricket goods export swells 15pc

LAHORE: Exports of cricket goods have swelled by around 15 percent, as the World Cup 2015 nears, while it is expected the exports will further increase by 50 percent, if Pakistan becomes world champion this year.
Malik Zulfiqar, a Sialkot-based cricket gear producer, said the exports of sports goods will increase by 50 percent, if Pakistan team wins the cup.
The total exports of the cricket goods are around Rs3 billion annually and can spread further if friendly policies are introduced.
The industry not only produces cricket uniforms and accessories for the Pakistan cricket team, but also for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the UAE and Afghanistan and also jackets for umpires who supervise the ICC matches, he said.
“Pakistan produces almost all cricket gear, including cricket bats, balls, gloves, wickets and other equipment, but Pakistani cricket bats are most popular among the countries due to our world renowned batsmen,” he said, adding, players this year will play matches with Pakistani sponsored bats in the world cup.
However, footwear for cricketers is not manufactured in Pakistan.
Pakistani brands import it from China and various countries and after branding, re-export it to cricket loving nations, as Pakistani cricket brands have a good standard in the international market.
Khalid Javeed, a cricket gear producer, said Pakistani cricket bats are cheaper in comparison with Indian, English and Australian bats, while the quality of both the bats is almost equal.
“The price of Grade-I Pakistani bat used by international players is in the range of Rs20,000 to Rs25,000, or $200 to $250, per bat, while English, Indian and Australian bats with the same grade range between $700 to $1,000,” he added.
Pakistan imports willow from England and handles from Singapore to produce cricket bats. Due to relatively cheap labour and skilled craftsman it has comparative advantage over other cricket bat producers.
Other than professional cricket accessories, Pakistan also exports huge quantity of softball cricket kits.
“This kit, which consists of a wooden bat, wickets, and a softball, and costs around $6 in local market is popular in England and Australia due to a price of $15 to $20,” Khalid said. “Thus exporters earn a good margin by exporting the kit.”
According to statistics of International Trade Centre, sports goods of around $219 million were exported during 2013/14.
Sialkot is an industrial city, which exports almost 90 percent of its produce, including sports and surgical goods.
The SME sector and major manufacturing units in Sialkot earn around $2 billion foreign exchange annually.