With an objective to explore trade potential and develop partnership among the member countries of Developing-8 (D-8) for overall economic development, Engineering Development Board (EDB) organised an exhibition of engineering goods of Pakistan at the sidelines of the Summit in which various Pakistani engineering companies displayed their products at the designated pavilion.
Foreign delegates from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey showed their keen interest in the engineering goods manufactured in Pakistan. The exhibition provided an excellent opportunity to the member countries to build partnerships with one another for trade development. Pakistan has displayed a wide-range of electrical, cutlery, textiles, sports and Halal products to attract attention of local as well as D-8 businessmen. The stalls at Pakistani Pavilion were established to promote local products among D-8 countries.
Since Trade Promotion departments of all the D-8 governments were participating in the event, it was convenient for traders and businessmen to forge trade partnerships and business alliances for development of industry of their respective countries. The four-day eighth summit of D-8 Muslim countries also discussed ways and means for further strengthening of mutual business and trade relations for the benefit of people of the member states and enhance their share to 15 percent of the total global trade.
D-8 leadership, D-8 exhibitors and business delegates, D-8 business councils, local trade bodies, diplomatic corps, academia, relevant ministries and local businessmen attended the seminar.
The participants of the Summit shared their experiences especially in the fields of trade and investment, made recommendations and suggestions for further strengthening their relations to benefit the people of D-8 member states. The EDB facilitated the engineering products manufacturing companies to display automotive parts (two wheelers/three wheelers), electronics, HVACR, air-conditioners, surgical equipments, cutlery & plastic products, whereas, heavy electrical and mechanical tools and appliances were displayed by State Engineering Corporation.
Further, EDB established a facilitation desk to help match making between participating delegates of the member countries and several business to business meetings were also arranged by the EDB wherein participating countries showed keen interest in automotive parts, LPG, CNG, HVACR appliances, electronics etc.
In addition a conference was also organised by the BoI at the sidelines wherein papers on various subjects of mutual interest were presented. The CEO, EDB gave a detailed and informative presentation on 'potential and challenges for engineering sector with special focus on D-8 countries' highlighting potential sectors and project for investment and possible JVs in eight engineering sub-sectors.-PR