ISLAMABAD: Pakistan can increase the production and export of musical instruments by hiring experts which will help increase the foreign exchange earnings, said Rizwan Mumtaz, CEO and owner of Musik de Razi from Sialkot, while talking to WealthPK.
Currently, Pakistan exports a wide range of musical instruments like flutes, band sets, Tabla, Rabab, Alghoza, etc. However, some instruments like drums, keyboards, violins, etc. are being imported spending a good amount of foreign exchange, he said.
“Manufacture of musical instruments/parts and accessories has been our family business since 2004. Mostly, we export instruments/accessories concerning the Scottish Pipe band. The number of articles depends upon the band size varying from 10 to 45 musicians. We export assembled/non-assembled instruments, raw material including hides, bagpipes, (traditional for a Scottish band), tambourines, drum sticks, drum major mace uniforms and related items, etc,” said Rizwan.
“The hiring of international musical instruments manufacturing experts is important to increase the exports of musical instruments. An awareness campaign in this regard is also important,” he added.
Musik de Razi trades musical instruments throughout the world with most of the orders placed from America and Europe averaging US$2 million per annum. For marketing, different IT platforms like Ali Baba, Facebook, etc. are used. Right now, about 25 different musical manufacturers are active in Sialkot. Mostly, people are unaware of this field. It is a good option for start-ups/SMEs to adopt. It will help open another channel of income for Pakistan through the export of quality instruments.
Talking to WealthPK, Halifax & Co Pvt. Ltd CEO Naeem Akhtar said, “Musical instruments’ production is a unique type of business segment, direly in need of orientation and segmentation in Pakistan as an industry. Halifax globally exports some oriental/European musical instruments of worth $4 million on average per annum for individuals, bands and education, etc. In the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other official level meetings, no positive attempt has been made to make the musical instrument manufacturing industry an important segment of economy. Even no training session has ever been held successfully. It must happen to enhance the circle of economic activities and job opportunities in the country.”
In a discussion with WealthPK about the production of musical instruments in Pakistan, vocalist, music composer and director Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti said, “The music of the subcontinent is almost the same except the specific regional tunes. For such types of musical notes, instruments like Rabab, Sarinda, Tabla, harmonium, tom-tom, etc. are not only imported, but also manufactured by the local experts. Pakistani music instrument manufacturers’ work is outstanding but very few people are in this field. There are some instruments that are locally manufactured but they are exported and used worldwide i.e., flute, etc.”
In a discussion with WealthPK, Tabla master Ramesh Kumar from Peshawar, said “In the Punjab province, genius folks are crafting musical instruments. They are good in quality and perfect when tuned properly. I play Tabla and a pair of them costs PKR25,000 to PKR100,000. It was too costly when we used to import but local manufacturing has made it bit economical now. There was a time when harmonium was imported from Germany, France, or other countries. Musicians and vocalists had to pay a lot to buy them, but now they are manufactured locally and are available at a low cost. The same is the case with Sitar, Rabab, Sur Mandal, etc. Craftsmanship is outstanding in Sargodha, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, etc.”
Talking to WealthPK, Khurram Hussain, managing partner of Samandar Khan & Son Rabab maker from Namak Mundi, Peshawar, said, “We manufacture traditional/continental string and other instruments like Rabab, Sitar, Sarinda, Sarangi, etc. They are sold locally and exported as well. Mostly, they are exported to Australia, Canada and the US with an average of about $2 million per annum. Unfortunately, this economic segment is not well introduced, and few people are active in this business.”
Managing partner and CEO of Rhythm Surgical Co. Kaleem Raza shared with WealthPK, “We have been manufacturing quality brass band and Scottish Pipe band instruments and kits at both national and international level since 1980. Our exports earn us worth $4.5 million per annum on average. Most of our instruments are exported to the UK, especially for Scottish festivals. There is a need to introduce and promote this industrial segment in the country.”
In the year 2020, Pakistan exported $3.2 million worth of musical instruments under the commodity group 9207 amounting to 1.11% of total sales from Pakistan, while in 2021, Pakistan exported musical instruments/parts and accessories of worth $3.93 million.
The government must focus on patronizing the musical instruments manufacturing industry in Pakistan. It is not only important for economic growth but new job opportunities will be created by this segment.
