Chairman Businessmen Group and former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli opened INTEXPO Pakistan Exhibition, an Indian showcase of synthetic and rayon textiles products, being organized by The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (SRTEPC) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here at a local hotel Friday. In INTEXPO 40 leading Indian brands form textiles sector are exhibiting their products.
About a 60-member delegation of SRTEPC headed by its Chairman Vinod K. Ladia arrived yesterday for Intexpo Pakistan Exhibition in Karachi (30 Nov & 01 Dec) and Lahore (2nd & 3rd December). Ladia and President KCCI Haroon Agar also signed MoU to facilitate members of respective trade organizations.
The chief guest Siraj Kassam Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group speaking at the inauguration ceremony appreciated Indo-Pak emerging business opportunities and recent productive developments between two governments to fortify economic and commercial relations between two countries. He said that the Indo-Pak Business communities firmly believe that improving economic ties may help to resolve the larger political issues that obstruct friendly and cordial relations and will bring peace and prosperity in the region.
He was of the view that political relations should not affect the positive business developments between business communities of two countries and businesses should not suffer. He hoped Pakistan may accord MFN to India soon and said that eight years back when he led the first delegation to India when he was the President of Karachi Chamber in 2004, he had same viewpoint then. Guest of Honour Chairman Sindh Board of Investment and former President KCCI Muhammad Zubair Motiwala proposed points which he opined, if implemented would act as cornerstone for development of bilateral trade. He proposed that the travelling between India and Pakistan should be made easy with grant multiple visas for multiple cities. Indo Pak trade may be done in rupees (India & Pak Rupees) rather than dollars. He voiced to remove Non-Tariff Barriers and introduce Mediation/Arbitration Committees He said that sea-link should be started initially small vessels be allowed to operate between the ports of Karachi and Indian ports of Mumbai, Porbunder, Mundra etc. He was of the view that India and Pakistan had large diversified textile sectors and immense potential of mutual cooperation do exist.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s President Muhammad Haroon Agar admired the steps taken by Indo Pak Governments to enhance bilateral economic and commercial cooperation and paid tribute to the business community of two countries to support their governments in this regard. He said that 2013 is the year of Indo-Pak trade liberalization. Both governments have also agreed to liberalize visa regime and allowing business visas with multiple entries for different cities. He said, “today this exhibition became possible with the joint efforts of SRTEPC and KCCI to provide a platform to Indo-Pak business community to explore the future business prospects. I hope signing of MOU between KCCI and SRTEPC will prove milestone for mutual cooperation and facilitation to business community of both countries.” He informed that he has planned to allocate one complete hall for Indian Pavilion in 10th My-Karachi Exhibition scheduled to be organized from 5th to 7th July, 2013. He said that KCCI also intend to organize one exhibition of products made in Pakistan in Mumbai India during first quarter of 2013.
Chairman Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (SRTEPC) and leader of Indian Delegation Vinod K. Ladia in his speech applauded KCCI’s support to organize INTEXPO Pakistan exhibition. He lauded the efforts of KCCI’s Leadership and President KCCI for warm welcome to the Indian business delegation. Exchanging views he said India and Pakistan had similar business trend in textiles and cooperation in the textiles sector between two countries will create win-win situation. Textile sector of both sides can join hands as collaborators instead of competitors as India and Pakistan are both are leading cotton growers and textiles manufacturers. “Collectively we can do wonders”, he said. INTEXPO Pakistan was 67th Exhibition of SRTEPC, wherein leading Indian Brands from Textiles including products like yarn, man-made fibres, fabrics, textile made-up and accessories were on display for match-making with Pakistani counterparts, he said.
Sanjeev Saran, Convenor Export Promotion Committee & Former Chairman SRTEPC; S.K. Khandelia, President, Indian Spinners Association & Board Member SRTEPC; Aziz Vali Ullah, Board Member SRTEPC; E.L. Paulo, Acting Executive Director SRTEPC, Shamim Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI, Nasir Mehmood, Vice President KCCI and Junaid Makda, Chairman International Affairs KCCI and also exchanged views on this occasion. Mementos and gifts were also exchanged after signing of MoU.
INTEXPO Pakistan 2012 to commenced today at Taj Marquee Sheraton Hotel after inauguration by Chairman Businessmen Group & Ex-President KCCI and will continue on 1st December from 10am to 5pm. Chief Guest Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Teli along with Guest of Honour Chairman Sindh Board of Investment Zubair Motiwala accompanies by President KCCI Haroon Agar and Chairman SRTEPC Vinod K. Ladia also visited the stalls; met Indian exhibitors and witnessed the products. Earlier, Nasir Mehmood Vice President KCCI received the delegation at Karachi Airport.
