First ‘chemical expo’ starts today: PCMA for formulating integrated chemical policy

LAHORE: As many as 70 national and 10 international exhibitors are participating in Pakistan’s first chemical expo ‘Pak Chem Expo 2022’ that is to be held at Lahore Expo Centre on July 19 & 20.

The exhibition is being organised by Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) to highlight the importance of the country’s 20 billion dollar chemical market. International and national industries are participating in this two-day expo while well-known chemical scientists from all over the world will also share their experiences and new researches,” said Senior Vice Chairman PCMA Haroon Ali Khan in a press conference, here on Monday.

Pakistan Chemical Expo 2022 is expected to attract a large number of visitors, including policymakers, industry experts, businessmen and corporate professionals. It has also been able to attract foreign representation through Aspen Technology Inc – KSA, Farabi Petrochemicals Company – KSA and Kartli international - Russia.

Senior vice-chairman PCMA said Pakistan’s chemical industry had a market of $20 billion and it was providing direct and indirect employment to six hundred thousand people while it contributed around Rs200 billion to national exchequer.

“It has not yet been fully exploited due to lack of awareness about its potential and absence of comprehensive and integrated chemical policy at the government level,” said Haroon, adding: “If Pakistan’s chemical industry is facilitated and an integrated chemical policy is implemented at the government level, the trade deficit can be significantly reduced.”

Haroon emphasized that the growth of that industry is not possible without government’s support and the first thing it needed was a comprehensive chemical policy in consultation with PCMA and other stakeholders to encourage and secure long term investments.

Senior member PCMA Zafar Mehmood said the chemical industry needed uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas. “We need Naphtha Cracking Plants as established by Thailand and Singapore while a separate business park on 3000 acres for all chemical related industries is also required,” said Zafar.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022