The Data Steel Pipe Industries located at Sadiqabad, in RY Khan, has been meeting the domestic demand for spiral pipes over the years, and recently it has exported first ever consignment of the pipes in this category to Sri Lanka.
The consignment worth $173,549 was in line with order received from a private firm in Sri Lanka.
"The importer has expressed full confidence in the quality of the product, and likely to place more order in the future", said a representative of company, adding this would open new avenues for Pakistani product in Sri Lanka as well as in other countries.
Sri Lanka is one of the major importers of spiral pipes with total imports amounting to over $70 million annually, where countries like Indonesia have their presence strongly felt. Pakistan, unfortunately, could not exploit this potential market at its doorstep.
The Data Steel Pipe Industries through its aggressive marketing managed to earn a share from other competitors. It exported 68 inches large diameter pipe to Sri Lanka, and expected the quantity to increase in future. This will enable it to compete with its competitors like Indonesia, which export annual spiral pipe to Sri Lanka amounts $20 million.
Total future market potential for the spiral pipes in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran and Middle East is estimated around $200 million, and Pakistan expects a major chunk out of it, he said, adding: "most important factor which could be driven out of this first consignment is potential demand for Pakistani products from other countries."
Bangladesh, Iran and some of the other Middle Eastern countries have shown interest in importing spiral pipes from Pakistan, thus with more concerted efforts were expected that Pakistan would be able to procure more orders for this category of pipes from this region.