Sports Goods Exports To China Up By 7%
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs shows that in the first 11 months of 2024, China imported $10.7 million worth of basketballs, footballs, and volleyballs from Pakistan, a 6.68% increase over the same period last year.
The development highlights Pakistan’s growing status as a global hub for high-quality sporting goods, as well as its growing economic ties with China.
Pakistan has a long tradition of producing high-quality sporting goods, including footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, and other accessories.
Experts believe that the country’s skilled craftsmen are renowned for their expertise in this field. Despite its exquisite craftsmanship and a large pool of workers, the industry’s poor access to international markets has long hindered its development.
However, China offers Pakistan a great opportunity to expand its influence and open up new markets.
As the world’s largest manufacturing country, China has advanced technology, a huge economic scale, and a complete trade network,
all of which could help Pakistan’s sporting goods industry undergo significant changes.
Sheikh Muhammad Shariq, Chief Representative of the National Bank of Pakistan, noted that during his tenure in China, he witnessed a growing interest in sports among the Chinese public, driven by a health-conscious middle class and government-backed fitness initiatives, creating a strong market for sporting goods.
Pakistani footballs, a specialty product of Sialkot manufacturers, remain a major export,
while basketball and volleyball have also seen a surge in popularity in Chinese schools and professional leagues.
“China’s expanding grassroots sports program and preparations to host major sporting events have increased the demand for high-quality equipment.
Shariq added that the increase in exports highlights the strong trade relations between Pakistan and China under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
