Pakistan has lost all its chances to participate in 'World Expo Milan 2015' after the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) refused to extend help to showcase the country's home-made products at the prestigious fair, sources said on Monday.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan had asked the FPCCI to help it showcase local products at the world fair after it failed to meet the deadline to book space for the global event, the sources said. "After examining the global show in detail, the FPCCI finally regretted in a letter to TDAP, showing its inability to extend any kind of help in this connection," sources said, adding that the chances for the country to take part in the global fair, which is scheduled to be held from 1st May to 30th October 2015 in Milan, Italy, are finally over.
"TDAP had sought funds from the government on account of registration fee to set up the country's pavilion at the global fair, however, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rejected the authority's proposal," officials told Business Recorder. Later, on the request of FPCCI, the Prime Minister through the Secretary Commerce sent a letter to TDAP in which he ordered the authority to ask FPCCI to participate in the event on self finance basis, however, FPCCI after considering all pros and cons of the exhibition, and consultation with the Ambassador in Milan, regretted to extend any help, they added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the world expo takes place after every five years in which countries from all over the world participate and showcase their products. It would have been a great opportunity to showcase Pakistan's home-made products at the event since the country has been granted GSP Plus status by European Union (EU).
"We will not be able to participate in this global fair as the deadline for registration has expired," the sources said. "India, China and other competing countries have set up their pavilions and inked a number of export contracts with different countries while Pakistan despite attaining GSP Plus status miserably failed to ensure its participation," they said.
"More than 130 countries are going to participate in this event. In which they will attract millions of visitors through showcasing their home-made traditional and technological products," they said. The sources said that the theme chosen for the 2015 Milan Universal Exposition is 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life'. They said that Expo 2015 would further develop themes introduced in previous expos in the light of new global scenarios and emerging issues, with a principal focus on the right to healthy, secure and sufficient food for all the world's inhabitants.