The first ever international construction materials, property, furniture, stone and technology exhibition titled, ‘Build Pakistan 2012’, commenced yesterday at Lahore Expo Centre, Pakistan. The event is open for trade/corporate visitors only till tomorrow i.e. March 12, 2012.
Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan inaugurated the event. Fakt Exhibitions CEO Saleem Khan Tanoli and others were also present at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Dr Firdous said such events are helpful to revive the construction industry in Pakistan, which is mother of allied industry and plays a vital role in economic revival.
She congratulated the organisers of Build Pakistan 2012 and underlined the dire need of such events to promote investment and softer image of the country. She said foreign investors were not willing to invest in Pakistan due to security concerns, but such events could help the country in attracting foreign investment.
Ms Awan said by establishing expo centre in Lahore, the federal government had met the demand of the business community in Punjab, now it is the responsibility of the business community to utilise the facility and attract foreign investors to visit Pakistan. Giving the message of president and prime minister, federal minister said the government recognise the role of private sector in the national economy.
Federal minister announced the government was considering various proposals to give incentives to Pakistani exporters in the forthcoming federal budget. She urged the business community and chambers of commerce to team up for setting up new export strategies for the country. She assured federal government’s full support to the private sector. Ms Awan also urged the media to play its positive role for promoting Pakistan’s soft image and avenues of investment in the country.
Earlier, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeem Ul Haque also visited the exhibition. He went to different stalls and met domestic and international exhibitors. He said construction industry played vital role in the economic revival of any economy, so the Planning Commission had laid focus on this in its growth strategy.
Talking to the reporters, he said Planning Commission also recommended revitalisation of the construction in its growth strategy which was adopted by the government as well.
Dr Nadeem suggested changing in living style of Pakistanis for the promotion of residential flats. He said there was a need of policy change to run the construction industry and kick start construction activities in every town and cities. To a question about the growth rate, Dr Nadeem said at present the growth rate is 4.5 per cent, but Pakistan needs to grow at 9 to 10 per cent annually, just like its neighboring countries, like India and China.
The first Build Pakistan 2012 exhibition is featuring over 100 exhibitors, ranging from major global suppliers to regional agents and distributors of building and construction sector. As the largest event of its kind in Pakistan, Build Pakistan provides an unrivalled platform for architects, consultants, interior designers, builders, landscapers, developers, contractors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and suppliers from the public and private sectors to network, source and specify the latest building and construction products and services. The event provides the most comprehensive product offering for the building and construction industry.
