Pakistan is likely to miss out the opportunity to participate in the upcoming world mega Expo to be held in Milano, Italy in 2015, well informed sources in Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) told Business Recorder. Expo Milano is held once every five years and lasts for six months, attracts millions of visitors from around the world and gives participating countries an opportunity to project their soft image to the world.
"A world Expo is not a trade fair or an exhibition and no trading or exhibitions are allowed. Rather 80 percent of the allocated space to the country is reserved for non-commercial projection of the country's theme with the remaining space allocated to project a country's image through souvenir, sales of stamps, books, CDs, DVDs and some handmade items from the country," sources added.
According to sources, a notable World Expo was held in Shanghai in 2010 where Pakistan constructed a magnificent pavilion on an area of 2500 sq. metres which won accolades from leaders around the world and was instrumental in strengthening Pakistan-China relations even stronger. The theme of Expo 2015 is "Feeding the Planet, Energy for life" and it is perfect for Pakistan to project its vast agricultural and energy potential to the European Union and to the world.
Countries like India, China and many others have already started work on their respective pavilions for the 2015 expo. Participation in the world expo is an expensive undertaking costing several million US dollars, sources continued.
However, a prominent company from Pakistan, M/s Far East Oriental Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi, has offered to plan, finance, organise and operate the Pakistan pavilion at Expo 2015, Milano to world class standards in order to project Pakistan's positive image abroad and at no cost to the Government of Pakistan.
The company has also undertaken to bring back to Pakistan foreign exchange through the sale of the allowed stamps, books, CDs, DVDs, and some of the allowed handmade products of Pakistan which they will generate through their 20 years of experience and expertise.
Most recently Far East Company planned, financed, constructed and operated an independent Pakistan pavilion in Expo 2012, Yeosu which was a 3-month event aimed at soft projection of Pakistan.
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