Daily Times reported that the leakage of production technology, rise in production cost of surgical instruments and the export of steel scrap are causing havoc for the surgical sector as scrap is the major source of locally produced stainless steel, which fulfils approximately 30% of the requirement.
Mr Aamir Riaz Bhinder former chairman Surgical Instrument Manufacturers Association of Pakistan said that the exports of surgical forgings and semi and unfinished products are the most critical components for the decline in surgical instruments exports.
Mr Bhinder said that “If these products will be exported to other countries, then the local industry will suffer heavily in shape of loss of export orders.” The government should check the export of scrap from the country. He asked the Commerce Ministry and Federal Board of Revenue to immediately impose a ban on export of forgings, semi finished and unfinished products.
He said that “Both India and China only repack or stamp Pakistan made instruments and sell them as their own brands. Lack of brand development is another major issue concerning this industry. Brand development is such an exercise, which cannot be done by a company due to the fact it requires huge resources and expertise and government’s support.”
He added that the example of India and China, which actually have no manufacturing or technical skills in this field, and still they are rapidly penetrating in surgical business, only by doing branding with full support and assistance from their respective governments. He said that if India can earn huge foreign exchange by brand promotion, then why cant’ we, who produce world class medical instruments.
Mr Bhinder said that the surgical industry can start earning at least USD 500 million within three years, provided, it was given due attention by the concerned government’s departments. He further added that the estimated world market of surgical instrumentation industry is currently around USD 30 billion and growing gradually, whereas our exports hover between USD 255 million to USD 260 million for the last 2 years.
