Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Friday inaugurated three-day 12th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) trade fair and the ninth Women Exporters Network (WEXNET) exhibition at Lahore Expo Centre.
Dastagir and SAARC Secretariat Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa, who is from Nepal, were the chief guests.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) combined two mega events – 12th SAARC trade fair and the ninth WEXNET – under one roof at Lahore Expo Centre in Johar Town.
Talking to the media on the occasion, Khurram Dastagir said the trade fair would prove as bridge between SAARC countries and help lessen tensions in the region. “The event will portray positive image of Pakistan since people from countries will be trading among each other.
Trade relation will also help end poverty in the region.”
He said despite hurdles, Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is moving towards prosperity and the event speaks volumes about the sincere efforts of the government. He said the event has been organised after three years since it was last organised in 2012.
He said Pakistan is committed to peace and regional prosperity. “We only want peace and respect of sovereignty of each other. We want to move forward in the world with economic prosperity.”
Pakistan is fully committed to ensuring durable peace in the SAARC region for improving trade relations – bringing prosperity and transforming the region into a trade bloc.
He said, “Our leadership is all committed for restoring peace and ensuring prosperity in the SAARC region and at the same time, Pakistan wants to maintain its foreign and trade relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect while keeping well in view each others’ sovereignty.”
Khurram Dastgir said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had shown his commitment for improved relations and trade among SAARC states. PM Nawaz always stressed the need for ensuring durable peace so as to bring prosperity to the poor people of this region, he added.
He said in the world, trade partnership is being promoted and trading blocs are being made, therefore, we also have to improve trade in the region. He added, “We are hopeful of neighboring country (India) to review its attitude for the cause of regional peace and prosperity.”
He was of the view that if one neighbouring country provokes heated statements/talks, it would definitely have negative impact on all aspects of mutual relations even the cricket sports.
In years to come, he said, it would become crystal clear that without establishing durable peace SAARC region could not attain that kind of prosperity and development as had been achieved by other regions of the world.
To a question about absence of Afghanistan in the trade fair, he said, “Restoration of peace in Afghanistan is the top priority of Pakistan and any country wanted to become partner in this regard, Pakistan would definitely welcome it.
He said, “Despite all challenges, the region is moving forward; the economic integration and people-to-people contact is also moving forward. While, we are much aware of the challenges, I think the opportunities are much brighter and instead of focusing on the obstacles, we are focusing on the opportunities to make way forward and bringing people together to trade with each other and to display their products and authentic work for more trade collaboration to tap the full trade potential of regional countries so as to achieve the shared prosperity of economic integration in the region which is the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.”
To a query, he said Pakistan took the leadership initiative by holding the SAARC trade fair which was awaited for the last three years. He added that Ministry of Commerce, and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) jointly organised both the events with an active participation of various companies of the regional countries.
“We have also encouraged the women entrepreneurs by providing them opportunity to display the handi work as well as share their trade experiences with other women entrepreneurs of the region,” he said.
Talking to the media, SAARC Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa said, “I feel great pleasure to be in Pakistan and I am very thankful to the government of Pakistan, the TDAP and the chambers of commerce and industry for holding these exhibitions for which we had been looking for the last three years.”
He added that at the previous SAARC Trade Fair was held in Bangladesh in 2012but the SAARC had appreciated Pakistan for coming up with fruitful idea of holding trade fairs.
According to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the trade fair would boost intra SAARC trade and would extend opportunities to buyers and sellers to understand and preview each other’s products in a broader prospect.
The SAARC countries are low and middle income rated developing countries while their economies share many similarities related to their geographic locations along with many common aspects of their cultural, historical and socio-economic advancements.
SAARC trade fair is one of the prestigious events in South Asia to promote regional trade within the corporation fold, thus creating business and a good rapport among its nations. Exhibitors from member countries are invited not only to promote their product potential but also avail of the opportunity of trade promotion and cultural exchange among themselves. This is the third trade exhibition to be hosted by Pakistan and the first of its kind in Lahore.
Over 45 exhibitors from SAARC countries are participating in trade fair,.
TDAP has approved the establishment of help desks of the Customs, National Bank of Pakistan, SECP, IPO-Pakistan, TDCP and BoI to help the exhibitors and disseminate information. This year, TDAP has received more than 350 applications from women entrepreneurs across Pakistan.
WEXNET is the largest exhibition of Pakistan for women entrepreneurs organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in a bid to empower women and bring an end to gender discrimination in the country.
The significant factor of this mega event is that a buyer can find fine qualities products with multiple range of prices and able to find products according to his/her budget.
Dearth of chairs, tables, hangers worries exhibitors: Exhibitors at 12th (SAARC) trade fair and the 9th WEXNET exhibition at Lahore Expo Centre complained about dearth of chairs, tables, hangers, dummies and huge rent of these items by private vendors. A survey conducted by Pakistan Today found that almost all exhibiters (local and foreigners) at the trade fair and exhibition complained about dearth of essential items.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Exhibitor and Managing director of Summer Return Chula Samarawickrama from Sri Lanka (Colombo) said she is unable to find a chair for herself at the fair. “I am unable to manage hanging stands, showcases, ropes, hangers etc despite serious efforts in this regard. I have come from Sri Lanka but my exhibition of items is getting spoiled due to these issues” She said she complained to organizers about the issue but to no avail.
Another exhibitor from Sri Lanka also complained about shortage of essential items at the trade.
Exhibitor and Managing Director of Hina’s Boutique Shamashad at WEXNET while talking to Pakistan Today also made ‘similar’ comments.
Guest relation Officer Masood said, “TDAP has given contract to private vendors for supply of essential items to exhibitors who are not able to provide these things to them in bulk.”
Stalls of Indian exhibitors dominated by Pakistani agents: Indian stalls at 12th SAARC trade fair were found dominated by their Pakistani agents.
A Pakistan Today survey to the trade fair found that most of the stalls of Indian items were being represented by Pakistani agents of these traders and Indian exhibitors had brought their items as luggage below 20 kg and did not pay customs duty. On the other hand, some Indian exhibitors complained about police reporting visas and inquiry by officials of Pakistan Customs. Exhibitor Annand Sigh from Indian city Delhi said, “ I was quizzed by Pakistan Customs officials at the stall. I told them that I had brought below 20 kg items which were exempted from Customs duty. But they asked me why I had not paid customs duty at the border and how I had managed to be at the fair without paying customs duty They also asked about bribe given to Pakistan Customs officials for exempting customs duty?”
Indian exhibitors from Attari Muhammad Sajid and Nadeem Ahmad complained about 60 percent customs duty which according to them was very high. The exhibitors at large were also confused about fixing prices of items in Pakistani rupees.
