Around 700 foreign buyers and importers from 45 countries are likely to visit Pakistan next month to attend the country's biggest trade fair, 7th chapter of Expo Pakistan. Expo Pakistan provides an excellent opportunity to participating exhibitors to display the whole range of products, said Amin Fahim Federal Minister of Commerce during a media briefing here at head office of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Friday.
The mega event will help the country in promotion of exports. Expo will also feature Business Roundtable, B2B meetings among foreign buyers and Pakistani exporters. It is hoped that Expo Pakistan shall bring together numerous quality buyers from different parts of the world in a quest to reach out to the prospective local suppliers.
International participants at the exhibition will also develop new partnership and deepen existing ones, for the benefit of all stakeholders. This will also help in attracting foreign direct investment in the country. In reply to query, the minister said that fashion shows being organised by the government was mainly because of the interest of foreigners specially women who are more interested in fashion and cultural designs in garments. Through this show, Pakistani fashion designs/ garments could get better share in the international markets.
To another question, he said that the 'trade officers' abroad who have completed their four years' term, have been another one month extension only to facilitate the visit of foreign buyers to the Expo. They would be finally come back to the country after the event.
Talking about the decreasing trend in exports, the minister claimed that there was a wave of inflation across the world, which has affected demands in major countries. Besides the poor law and order situations mostly shown by our media were defaming the country's image abroad resulting in slow down in economic activities in the country. Much coverage to negativity was adding to negative growths in trade activities. To another question, Amin Fahim claimed that many allegations made about his ministry and government has been proved wrong.
The Minister was accompanied by Tahir Raza Naqvi, Chief Executive (CE) TDAP, Abdul Kabir Kazi, Acting Secretary TDAP and other officials. Later, exclusively talking to Business Recorder, CE TDAP said that the authority has made all arrangements to make the 7th Expo Pakistan scheduled to be held from October 4 to 7 2012 successful event.
This year over 260 plus exhibition stalls of various sizes shall be seen in six big halls of Expo Center Karachi. Besides exhibit stalls, B2B meetings shall be facilitated by provision of specific Meeting Cubicles prepared for this purpose. TDAP has made full preparations to make the show a truly one stop sourcing event for foreign buyers and the local exhibitors.
The show is poised to provide enhanced business opportunities to Pakistani entrepreneurs and exporters. According to him, so far, Expo Pakistan has received confirmations from more than 700 international buyers from around 45 countries. Moreover, the leading Pakistani exporters representing textiles and clothing, engineering, agro food, surgical, pharmaceutical, sports goods, IT, home & decor, handicrafts, and jewellery sectors, have confirmed their participation. Almost 80 percent of stalls have been booked so far.
A large number of foreign buyers are expected to show up. This year more than the last year's estimated import orders are expected. He said that the authority was going to frame a system of recording follow up orders both local exporters and the foreign visitors.
According to him, Fashion Shows are planned to be held on the first two days of the Expo, where Pakistani products including Handicrafts, Garments, Jewellery, Leather shoes and other leather products, shall be displayed. For the first two days of the Expo, would be for foreign visitors while the last day of Expo has been declared a Families Day. Exhibitors shall be allowed spot sale on the last day. This year some foreign companies especially from Japan and China are also participating in the Expo Pakistan. The foreign buyers were mostly from China, Japan, UK, USA, France, Brazil, Greece, Argentina, Belgium, South Africa, South Korea, Poland, Malaysia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Panama, India, Hong Kong, and Columbia.
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