ISPO-2013 showcases Pakistani exhibitors

About 120 sports goods manufacturers and exporters, mainly from Sialkot participated in the world’s largest trade fair of sports goods, ISPO-2013 in Munich, Germany that ended on Tuesday.
Pakistan Trade Development Authority (TDAP) sponsored and extended support to new exhibitors from Sialkot under its policy to encourage new entrants in the field of export of Pakistani goods said a press release received from Berlin.
Pakistan Ambassador to Germany Abdul Basit visited Pakistan Pavilion in the exhibition and met the Pakistani exhibitors. While exchanging views with them about the business opportunities that such trade fairs provide, the Ambassador said that the quality and the wide range of products displayed by Pakistani exhibitors reflected how business community was making its efforts to keep the economy of Pakistan going despite many difficulties that cropped up in the wake of Afghanistan crises.
Earlier, the Ambassador held a meeting with the Exhibition Group Director of Messe International (the Company that organizes ISPO every year) Markus Hefter and discussed with him organisational arrangements of the world’s largest trade fair. Hefter informed that Pakistan was one of the most important countries that have been participating in ISPO since 1970, the year ISPO was set up.
The Ambassador said Pakistan is one of the leading countries that had been producing and exporting quality sports goods to all international brands in the sector. Pakistan Pavilion should be given special treatment by the ISPO management in terms of space allocation and country promotion, he added. Hefter said that this year a photo exhibition showcasing Pakistan’s landscape, its culture and people has also been organised to promote the country.
The Ambassador also underscored the need of conducting capacity building and training programmes for new entrants. In response, Hefter said the Messe Munich has launched a free online seminar to educate the new exhibitors on how to develop a company profile, organisation and submission of documents, and on other business related issues. Pakistan’s Honorary Consul in Munich Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis also accompanied the Ambassador during the meeting and visit to the Pakistan Pavilion in the Exhibition. ISPO represents International Sports Business Network and is a major event for sports goods manufacturers and suppliers all across the world. It provides a convenient meeting ground for some of the world’s most popular sporting brands and helps in the promotion of new entrants in the market.