The Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Mohibullah Shah, on Wednesday said that Expo Pakistan had impressed foreign investors, as most of the delegates were likely to ink new export contracts with Pakistan shortly.
Talking to Business Recorder on the third day of Expo Pakistan, he said that although the main contracts would be unveiled at the concluding press conference, most of the delegates expressed interest in many fields, including agro-food, pharmaceutical, bio-medical and others.
He said that over 22 delegates, who had been brought by commercial counsellors, and nine delegates from other countries, called on him and showed their interest. He said that a delegate from Argentina assured him to establish a lithotripsy manufacturing plant in collaborating with local manufacturers after doing research and development, and added that this plant would produce hundreds of thousands of machines and bring more investment in Pakistan and job opportunities.
He said these machines are being produced at very high prices at the native country but now these would be produced at cheaper rates. Similarly, the delegates from China and Hong Kong showed interest to import agro-food including dates, mango, oranges, apple etc from Pakistan, while the delegates from Argentina are likely to ink contracts to import rice from Pakistan, especially Basmati rice.
He said that most of country's exports are being done through middle countries, even some time there are three or four companies of different countries involved in exports, which eventually increase the prices of goods. But after developing these new contacts, Pakistan would export its goods directly to targeted countries on cheaper rates that would open new dimensions of exports in the country.
He said that the delegates from France, led by Ms Rene Mardellet, expressed much confidence over Pakistani business and they are mulling to open institution of fashion designing including designing. He said that they would also help in drawing the curriculum regarding textile including designing, merchandising, dyeing, etc.
He said that the delegates who showed their great interest were from Sweden, Los Angeles (USA), Spain, South Africa, France, Malaysia, Romania, Bangladesh, Argentina, Morocco, South Korea,, Hong Kong, Norway and Moscow.
Regarding the impression on law and order situation he said that the delegates were highly satisfied with security arrangements, and added that most of the delegates were freely moving in the industrial areas of the city as well as in the market for shopping.
Meanwhile, M D, Pegasus Consultancy, Asim Siddiqui said that the event would be helpful to attract foreign buyers at large scale and bringing foreign exchange into Pakistan. owever, he added that getting exports from these types of exhibition were year-lasting exercise, but TDAP was reviewing inputs that were claimed by commercial counsellors.
He said that the TDAP had arranged tours for other cities including Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot to seek new trading dimensions across the country. He said that this event was a breakthrough in the prevailing uncertain condition and would provide support to the business community.
Regarding tight security arrangements he said it was not a local issue but internationally the countries have made security arrangements as their first priority to avoid any untoward incident, which could defame the country's creditability. He said that Expo Pakistan had proved that Pakistan has best atmosphere for international buyers.