6th Expo Pakistan begins in Karachi

Over 600 foreign importers will seek trade opportunities with Pakistan, as they have visited the country to attend the 6th chapter of “Expo Pakistan” which begins on Thursday. The Expo which was opened by Minister of Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Thursday morning is expected to get almost $100 million import orders from hundreds of foreigners who have come to Pakistan from across the world.
Addressing media at the Expo Center Karachi, the minister said that the international event would definitely help enhance the countries exports through marketing the countries valued products. On the occasion, TDAP’s chief executive Tariq Puri said that almost 300 stalls were booked, out of which over 270 stalls were given to local producers while the rest were distributed to the Chinese and Japanese companies. He further said that the TDAP expected around $100 million worth of export orders to be received by the country’s exporters during the four day exhibition. He further said that the authority, besides the textile sector which is the backbone of the country’s exports, was also focusing on the non-textile sectors and their value addition.
Amid tight security around the center, the foreign dignitaries who have come from over 50 countries were found at various stalls of Pakistani products from textile, handicrafts, construction, agricultural and other sectors displayed in the five halls of the center. Beside the country’s own companies, Chinese and Japanese pavilions in the expo were also the center of attractions for the foreign visitors. Most of the foreigners were also found visiting and taking interest in the country’s textile products and handicrafts besides showing interest in agricultural products including rice, fruits and vegetables. Talking to Profit, Zahid Nasir, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association, who was representing the carpet companies at the Center, said that many foreigners have visited the stalls and exchanged information about the products on Thursday and further meetings are expected to be held during the remaining two days of the expo. The clear position of demands and importer orders received by the carpet sector would be shared on the last day of the exhibition, he said. The representatives of rice companies also said that the there was an encouraging developments and they were hopeful that the event would help the rice exporters to create new markets for their products. Waheed Ahmed, Co-Chairman, Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association who was representing the association in the exhibition said that he had meetings with some Russian buyers on Thursday and the association was expecting fruitful meetings with foreigners representing new markets of the world.