KARACHI: Expo Pakistan 2010 was formally opened at Karachi Expo Centre on Friday morning with more than 350 exhibitors displaying a wide variety of products in five halls.
Chief Executive Trade Development Authority (TDAP) Syed Mohibullah Shah inaugurated the exhibition along with president FPCCI Sultan Chawla and president KCCI Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad.
Speaking on the occasion, he said Expo Pakistan had fetched export orders worth $40 million in last year. This year, we will get more than double of the last year orders, he added.
He pointed out that the Expo had new products and new buyers from non-traditional markets. For the first time, handicraft products were on display at the Expo. Similarly, engineering and chemical products and food items were also included this year, he noted. He said the occupancy at the Expo was 100 percent.
Shah said foreign buyers numbering 500 had arrived in Karachi to witness the mega event despite negative propaganda in the international media. This showed that Karachi was safe for foreign visitors, he said.
He said foreign buyers had told him that they were not scared about the law and order situation and in fact they are enjoying the weather in Karachi.
TDAP chief said for the first time in 60 years, Pakistanx378s exports to Asian countries had grown tremendously due to economic slowdown in the West.
FPCCI president Sultan Chawla said that Pakistanís image had improved due to successful holding of Expo as a number of foreign buyers had arrived here.
President KCCI Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad said a large number of exhibitors were showing their products at the Expo this year. He pointed out that there was a lot of demand for stalls but the entire space of 6,000 square meters was booked.
Project manager of Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone, Ghanem Salem Ghanem said Expo Pakistan will be very successful and exhibiters will get good orders.
“I am visiting Pakistan for the first time and I see no security threats here. The security is very good and foolproof. Everything is OK here”, he said.
Hiro Takahashi President and CEO of DTS Inc Japan said he was slightly scared before coming to Pakistan, adding I donít see any threat because the security is very good here.
The head of Bangladesh trade delegation and Chairman Alif Group of Companies Kamaluddin Ahmed said this exhibition was larger as compared to the last Expo. He said there were new products on display this year and added that 20 buyers from Bangladesh had arrived in the delegation this year.
The head of Dutch delegation and Director Royal Textile BV Jameel Ahmed appreciated the exhibition and suggested to restrict free export of yarn to enable local industry to get sufficient raw material for textile value-added sector.
