Jalandhar's Sports and Leather Goods Industry Takes Center Stage at Punjab Investors Summit
A focused session dedicated to Jalandhar-manufactured sports and leather goods was conducted on Saturday at the Punjab Investors Summit 2026, held in Mohali. The event, chaired by Punjab Minister Mohinder Bhagat, underscored Jalandhar's significant potential to emerge as a premier hub for sports goods manufacturing on a global scale.
Minister Emphasizes Global Competitiveness and Expansion
Addressing the assembly, Minister Mohinder Bhagat highlighted that Jalandhar is internationally recognized for producing high-quality sports equipment. He stressed the critical need to strengthen this sector through enhanced policy support, adoption of modern technology, and increased investment to effectively compete in global markets. The minister emphasized that with these measures, Punjab possesses immense potential to expand its footprint in the international sports goods and leather products market.
Industry Leaders and Experts Collaborate on Growth Strategies
The session brought together a diverse group of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts to deliberate on strategies aimed at boosting manufacturing capabilities, fostering innovation, and increasing exports from Punjab's sports goods sector. Key participants from Jalandhar-based companies included:
- Rajesh Kharabanda, Managing Director of Freewill Sports Pvt Ltd (Nivia)
- Mukul Verma, Director of Savi International
- Dr. Amit Sharma, Managing Director of Spartan Sports
- Mukesh K Bassan, CEO of Belco Sports
The discussion was moderated by Prasanth Santhakumaran, Partner at KPMG, and also featured the presence of Sarvjit Singh, Special Chief Secretary for Sports and Youth Services.
Key Focus Areas for Enhancing Competitiveness
During the deliberations, experts pinpointed several crucial areas for improvement to bolster Punjab's competitiveness in the sports goods industry. These included:
- Strengthening Supply Chains: Enhancing logistical and operational frameworks to ensure efficiency and reliability.
- Adopting Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Integrating cutting-edge tools and processes to improve product quality and production speed.
- Exploring New Global Markets: Identifying and tapping into emerging international opportunities to diversify export destinations.
The platform successfully facilitated collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and investors, paving the way for new opportunities in economic growth and industrial development within the state.
