Expo Centre should be completed by December 31 next as due to fast changing regional economic scenario, the Lahore City is fast turning into hub of economic activities and the investors from all over the world, particularly from the European countries, are keen to make investment here.
LCCI President Mian Shafqat Ali expressed these views while talking to Expo Lahore Chief Operating Officer Arif Mansur Khosa here on Wednesday, disclosed a LCCI's spokesman. Former LCCI Senior Vice President and Convenor LCCI Standing Committee on Fairs and Exhibitions Sohail Lashari was also present on the occasion.
Shafqat maintained that though the Karachi Expo Center was doing excellent work but due to strategic location of Lahore in terms of trade and business, a number of foreign firms wanted to hold exhibitions in this city but due to non-availability of enough facilities the idea could not be materialised so far, and there was need to expedite work on the project of Expo Centre.
According to him, exhibitions were an effective tool to give boost to bilateral trade and all over the world the exhibitions were the major events wherein not only the locals participate but the foreigners also put the products on display.
He also promised with the Expo Centre Chief that the LCCI would play the leading role for arranging a variety of exhibitions at the Expo Centre.
Arif Mansur Khosa said on the occasion that Rs one billion worth project spreading over 400 canals would be a world class exhibition center under a public-private partnership company Expo Lahore Private Limited. "The master plan of the project includes four exhibition halls, each with an area of 6,000 square meters, a warehouse, a congress centre with auxiliary conference rooms and a cafeteria. Spaces have also been earmarked for a modern hotel, a high rise office building called technology tower and a shopping mall with entertainment facilities," he added.
According to him, the building and structure of the Lahore Expo Centre would have a unique character comparable to the latest facilities of global standard.