“It is very tough and challenging, it’s not hard, it is most definitely not impossible.”
Entering in to the Sawuat Beijing International Trade Co., Ltd office, I was greeted with the lingering smell of Marlboro cigarettes, old Pakistani romantic songs playing on a low volume, medical equipment stacked roof high on all four sides and the man himself, Mr. Sabir Jan, with a warm smile and a steaming cup of tea Pakistani style. 
Mr. Sabir Jan or fondly called upon by his nickname Tipu Bhai started doing business at the age of 19 in 1993 right after graduating from high school. He started out in the textile industry selling bedsheets and bed covers, making the designs himself and selling it in the Pakistani Market. Moving forward, hoping to create a successful business not only beneficial to him but also to his county. At that time in 1993, he established his own brand Sawuat International, based on his family name, “Sawuat”.
Sawuat International, initially was involved in textile trade between China and Pakistan. In 1995 he moved to Beijing and was intrigued by the manufacturing of medical equipment, this happened to be the perfect niche to invest in and establish Sawuat Surgical Pakistan. Today Mr. Sabir is successful in running his business manufacturing his own medical equipment in Sialkot Pakistan and shipping it worldwide under the brand, while at the same time being the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for some other medical conglomerates mostly operating from China. 
In 2010 the first medical equipment manufacturing factory of the Sawuat brand in Sialkot and also in 2010 the Sawuat Dental instrument business was established. Today Sawuat Surgical has a setup in Beijing, USA, Pakistan with export operations active in China, South East Asia, Middle East, Centeral Asian State and USA with ventures expanding to the Middle East. Sawuat Surgical has continually strived to set the standard for excellence in the dental equipment industry and has succeeded in advancing dental technology with products that are unrivaled in quality and innovation.
Sawuat Surgical Booth in different cities in China
The success of Sawuat Surgical and Sawuat International can be further highlighted by their active participation in various eminent exhibitions such as the recent Sino Dental Exhibition which is the 2nd largest Dental and Surgical Exhibition in the world held every year from 9 June to 12 June. Sawuat Surgical has been a participant of this exhibition since 2010. It is notoriously hard to get a booth at the convention, but because of Sawuat Surgical’s continuous participation and promise of quality Sino Dental prefers Sawuat Surgical giving them Prime spots. This year was particularly successful since Sawuat Surgical was able to get two new OEM contracts with Chinese companies, apart from that the booth was always packed with Doctors, wholesalers, distributors and dealers who were looking to expand their business after COVID-19. Sawuat Surgical Looks forward to coming exhibitions of the year in CDS Shanghai, and DenTech Shanghai along with the Greater New York Expo 2023.
Pakistan is the biggest manufacturers of Dental equipment in the world contributing a cool 85% of the total manufacturing. Sawuat Surgical is among the enablers of this figure making sure the name of Pakistan industrial manufacturing remains the top of the list in the world. The finesse required to create such precise delicate instruments is God-Gifted to the workers of Pakistan and they conform to the standards required by the international consumers.
How did you get into the medical instrument business?
In 1995 I got interested in the medical equipment business after attending a few exhibitions. Idea was to export from Pakistan rather than to import in order to strengthen the economy. Despite having no prior experience in the medical instrument fields or medical in general, it is truly a feat to establish a business with such success. I went to great lengths in ensuring the quality of the products and attaining Drug Administration (CFDA) certificates and registration for importing to China and the USA.
Idea was to export from Pakistan rather than to import in order to strengthen the economy
What did you do different to help distinguish Sawuat from the competition?
You have to be unique, you have to offer something which is not offered by other players whatever it may be, quality, price, equipment innovation, and Sawuat is the name of Quality there is no compromise on quality however minor it may be since good quality builds trust with the customers and even the smallest compromise can become a liability for the brand. I always been hands on with my products knowing them inside out and what it takes to manufacture a quality product. All these combine to be a recipe for any successful business to run wherever it may be located.
What is the secret to have a successful business in China?
Be optimistic, hold a unique approach while entering the market, to break away from the traditional norms of doing business, whether that is the type of business, mode of business or material of business, to truly establish a unique niche in a product and then go with the business flow in local market, because the local business has their own pace and speed. In the same tone it is imperative to establish good relations with locals, since they will be your business partners, investors, work force and consumers hence learning and respecting their culture, language, norms, history is all part of the business. All these combined make the recipe for success with the secret ingredient being undeterred hard-work and unwavering passion for what you want to establish as a trustable brand.
What type of music does he like listening to?
In my younger age I liked fast music, pop and hip hop, Sajjad Ali, Ali Haider and a few others. But now I find solace in lighter romantic music, playing at a comfortable volume in a lively atmosphere.
How do you balance work and life?
Basically, I am a family guy, love to spend time with my kids, teach them about life and help them to learn multicultural life. My wife graduated from UIBE and contributed a lot in the success of Sawuat Beijing International Trade, so I truly believe, behind every successful man there is a woman. 
We all know Sialkot sets the standard for manufacturing of medical goods, contributing to 85% percent of the equipment production. I believe Mr. Sabir Sawuat and his brand Sawuat Medical is among the main reasons for this statistic and Mr. Sabir himself ensures that the name of Pakistan remains at the top by committing to his promise of quality and delivering above and beyond the standards which everyone else expects. As I am concluding this piece of Urdu poetry comes to my mind.
سدا گمنام رہتے ہیں وہ پتھر
عمارت جن کے کاندھوں پر کہڑی ھے
مگر، اسی لئے،
وفا کی میں نے بنیاد
آج زیرِ آسمان رکھ دی
Forever remain unknown the stones
upon which the foundation of a building is laid
But
I laid the foundation of trust today,
Under the wide expanse of the sky.
By Essam Waqar.