Azeem A Khan

The Punjab provincial government has announced a plan to establish a “cutlery art and craft village” in Wazirabad city to boost the related industry. The government’s step would aid producers in raising the quality of their output, as the entire range of Pakistani cutlery is made in Wazirabad, a city known for its traditional products. It would also increase Pakistan’s market share in the $80 billion global cutlery market.

Despite shipping its goods to many countries, including the US, Canada, Holland, the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Afghanistan, and South Africa, Pakistan’s cutlery exports in 2020-21 totalled only $143 million.

Chairman Pakistan Cutlery and Stainless Utensils Manufacturing and Exporting Association (PCSUMEA) Shakeel Azam said while talking to WealthPK that the urban unit, which provides policy advice and services to public and private sector organisations, has completed its study for setting up the cutlery art and craft village, while all the other government’s stakeholders have also given the go-ahead to the project. The project is likely to cost about Rs9 billion after land acquisition. The Punjab Small Industries Corporation and other stakeholders have been directed by the provincial government to develop a practical model of the village with mutual collaboration, and at a rapid pace.

The PCSUMEA is a semi-government trade body affiliated with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Karachi. Different government departments, such as the Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Ministry of Industries and Production, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company (TUSDEC), Ministry of Science and Technology, Punjab Small Industries Corporation, Export Development Fund, and Engineering Development Board are attached to the association.

The current structure of the cutlery industry shows that it consists of small and medium-sized businesses. The majority of this industry is located in the Gujranwala district localities of Wazirabad, Nizamabad, and Allahabad, north of the provincial capital Lahore. There is a high concentration of small-scale metal and light engineering industrial units, which are mainly concentrated in the suburban area. In this area, there are roughly 1,500 units.

Cutlery made in Wazirabad is known for its high quality and skilful craftsmanship across the world. Professional kitchen knives, stainless steel flatware, kitchen gadgets and tools, swords, hunting and pocket knives, and daggers made of Damascus steel are also produced and exported from Wazirabad. Damascus steel is stronger than other steels and has a wavy pattern.

Wazirabad’s tableware and cutlery products are mostly sold in the local market. These include teaspoons, tablespoons, rice spoons, forks, dessert spoons, and cutting knives. Tableware exports include spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake servers, fish knives, butcher knives, sugar tongs, and other culinary items.

The PCSUMEA has been trying to promote this industry for a long time. The association had proposed the creation of the cutlery art and craft village since production units were scattered around the city and lacked adequate manufacturing facilities. It has also sent many delegations to the Middle East and Africa to find potential new markets to export cutlery items.

Shakeel Azam said the PCSUMEA, founded in 1967, has been playing a crucial role in the growth of its stakeholders. Its main goals are to increase the cutlery industry’s exports, interact with the government on matters pertaining to the industry, and assist its members in reaching global markets through exhibitions and delegations with the help of TDAP.

Although there have been some difficulties for the industry, such as competition from low-cost producers and a lack of up-to-date machinery and technology, Pakistan’s cutlery industry is still thriving and provides many people with a significant source of employment and income. It is hoped that with proper production facilities at the new location, its global market share will increase significantly.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk