The Pakistan Observer............................................................................OCT 30,2011
THE first ‘Expo Pakistan ’ was organized in 2005 in Karachi, and the sixth Expo Pakistan also held in Karachi from October 20-23 . Due to poor law and order situation in the country, foreign delegates and buyers are reluctant to visit Pakistan. But, I am pleased to inform that this year more than 600 foreign delegates from 52 countries participated in the Expo Pakistan2011. Out of which some of the delegates were the guests of TDAP. Wide range Products from Agri-Food, Auto-Parts, Sports , Fabric, Garments, Leather, Handy Crafts, Furniture, Surgical Instruments, IT and Energy sectors were displayed by the exhibitors. Big Local Pakistani companies from different sectors also displayed their products in the Expo. A trade delegation from India accompanied by Pakistani Trade Minister Naeem Anwar also participated .
The Prime Minister of Pakistan formally inaugurated the 6the Expo Pakistan, in the Governor House which was attended by all foreign delegates from South and Latin America, Brazil , Mexico, Chile, Yemen, Morocco and Argentina. Along with our commercial consulars from their countries. The Expo has provided an opportunity to all stakeholders in trade to meet and do business. After the inauguration, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani met individually each guests which embossed a good impression on them. On this occasion, Mr. Taqir Puri , CEO Trade Development Authority of Pakistan(TDAP), said the Prime Minister declared 2011 the year of exports. Giving details he said country’s exports rose in last four years from $17.7 billion (2008-09), $19.3 billion (2009-10) and to record $25.3 billion last year 2010-2011. Despite that our economy sustained substantial losses due to devastated flood in the country, which has damaged our cash crops. I must give credit to our exporters that in spite of power and gas load shedding in the industries affecting their production. The Textile Sector achieved 35% growth, and the country’s gross exports exceeded $ 25 billion which reflects the confidence of the foreign buyers on our products.
During the Expo, a Multilateral International Conference on trade and investment was held in collaboration with Board of Investment (BOI), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Pakistan Japan Business Forum and other business forums of Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland. The organizers constituted various focus groups of Pakistan’s key sectors including Agriculture, Dairy Farming, Textile, Infrastructure, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Light Engineering, Mining and Minerals. I was Chairing Textile Group and gave a presentation on the investment opportunities in Pakistan. Many delegates form Russia, Poland, Argentina, Malaysia and other countries participated in the Group discussion.Expressing their interest and confidence to do business Pakistan. Majority of them came to Pakistan first time and were impressed with our warmth welcome and hospitality.They were of the view that the Western media presented a bad image of Pakistan, they called Karachi a vibrant and trade and industrial city which means business. I also invited the foreign delegates to invest in the Textile City Project in Karachi in value added joint ventures. I learned from them that several countries are buying our products through third country at higher prices, such Russia and Poland are buying fabric at higher price from Turkey, but now they want to deal directly from us.
During Expo fashion shows were organized, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) arranged meetings with the Business Councils of various countries, and TDAP arranged B2B meetings of the businessmen for trade and investment. A delegation of Pakistan Turkey Joint Business Council(PTJBC) with their Chairman Hussain Akin met their Pakistani counterpart in FPCCI. During the meeting. The Council criticized Turkish government’s imposing protection duties on the imports of our textile products which has severely affected Pakistan’s exports to Turkey. PTBC urged the need for signing of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Turkey to achieve $2 billion annual trade target.
The organizers were aiming three objectives to achieve from the Expo: Firstly, to get export orders from the foreign buyers, secondly, to attract foreign investment in Pakistan potential sectors and thirdly, to create Pakistan soft image of Pakistan. We have received exports orders worth more than $500 million during the Multilateral Investment Conference, many foreign delegates shown their interest to invest in Pakistan and after meeting with the delegates I am certain that on return to their countries they will talk good about Pakistan. On achieving all three objectives from the Expo I congratulate Zafar Mahmood , Secretary Trade , Senator Ghulam Ali , President FPCCI, and Tariq Puri , CEO TDAP for success of the Expo-Pakistan 2011.