'Expo Pakistan 2005', to be held in Karachi from February 2 to 5, 2005, will be the biggest event of Pakistan which will help introduce Pakistan's products to international buyers, apart from improving the country's image. There would be 500 to 600 Pakistani products on display in this event while EPB is striving to bring 500 to 1000 foreign buyers.
Every sector of Pakistani industry would be given due representation in this event.
This was stated by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Chairman Tariq Ikram while talking to newsmen after a meeting of the committee on 'Space and Exhibition' of the 'Expo Pakistan 2005' which met here on Tuesday.
In the meeting, a package of incentives was prepared to attract buyers from international companies who would be extended free air travel and boarding and lodging facilities.
Participants of the meeting were of the view that foreign buyers should be extended all-out facilities so as to ensure their participation in this mega event.
The EPB chief proposed that '150 serious buyers', on the recommendations of various business associations, could be extended the facility of free air travel. Apart from this, they would be given VIP protocol.
He told newsmen and participants of the meeting that cultural shows would also be arranged, besides holding exhibition, conferences and seminars on different products of Pakistan.
He said that the Space and Exhibition Committee is the sub-committee of a steering committee, which is headed by Federal Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar. Around 8,500 sq. metre place would be made available for the exhibitors. There are already four halls in Expo Centre and two more are being constructed, he added.
Tariq said that the next meeting of this committee would be held soon after Eid-ul-Fitr to finalise the arrangements for the exhibition. He also directed the participants to give ideas for generating funds through this event. The government has provided an amount of Rs 60 million while another Rs 40 million has been collected in the shape of sponsorship. However, still an amount of Rs 50 million is required to hold this exhibition, he said.
To a query about Expo Centre in Lahore he said that work is underway on this project and an architect has already been appointed while designs are being prepared. He hoped that ground breaking of the centre would be performed before end of the current year. Apart from halls, there would be auditorium, fast food centre and entertainment opportunities so as Lahorites could have access to healthy activities, too, he added.
Regarding restructuring in EPB, he said that much has been done in this regard while he intends to set up an Export Development Authority of Pakistan which could have those financial and administrative powers, which EPB could not utilise some time being a government department.
He also said that there was a need to enhance the capacity and capability of the industries to meet international standards.
Talking about appreciation in dollar worth and its impact, he said that devaluation of Pak rupee always gives advantage to exporters. He said that being a responsible citizen he knows that in such a situation often exporters start holding back their remittances to earn benefit. He appealed to the business community to bring in maximum remittances to the country. He said that there were imports of machinery and chemicals, but it was a welcoming sign. He expressed the hope that exports would cross the target of 13.7 billion dollars and next year Pakistan may touch the figure of 15 billion dollars.
Tariq Ikram said that attention had been to product and market diversification and it was evident from the fact that exports had increased by 3.74 billion dollars last year as compared to 1999-2000, out of which non-traditional items had 21 percent share.
Earlier, addressing the meeting he assured that there would be strict security measures for foreign participants of the exhibition. He said that they had started approaching buyers and Chief Executives of major international companies had been approached in writing. He said that there would be road shows and informatory programmes, which would be target-oriented.