Buyers from 70 countries likely to visit Expo Pakistan

Country expects to fetch over $700m worth of orders.

KARACHI: Despite security concerns, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) expects to play host to the biggest number of foreign buyers in Expo Pakistan 2013 – a flagship annual event that showcases ‘Made in Pakistan’ products for foreign visitors.

The organisers appear confident and say that more than 1,000 buyers from 70 countries will come to the event, which will be inaugurated by President Mamnoon Hussain on September 25 in Karachi.

“World economy has seen major changes over the last few years. Increase in cost of production in developed economies has pushed their manufacturers to either buy products or produce them in developing countries,” TDAP Secretary and Acting Chairman Rabia Javeri Agha said while talking to the media at the TDAP head office here on Friday.

In the last few years, Pakistani products, especially textile and food categories, had attracted a lot of attention from the Far East and Southeast Asia and that was why a large number of buyers were coming from these regions, she said.



According to Agha, last year about 900 foreign buyers visited the Expo Pakistan and the country got orders worth over $500 million. This year, TDAP expects over 1,000 buyers and a business of over $700 million.

The four-day annual event will kick off at the Karachi Expo Centre on September 26.

About 550 exhibitors from across Pakistan will display their products in six halls of the expo centre. Of these, the Engineering Development Board will be represented by 50 companies, Export Processing Zones Authority – 18 companies, Pasdec – 15 companies, Towel Manufacturers Association – 15 companies and garment manufacturers association – five companies.

Eighteen companies will represent the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers Association, 10 companies each will represent the Surgical Instrument Manufacturers Association, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sports Goods Association. Eight pharmaceutical companies will also be present in the exhibition.

The Footwear Association of Pakistan will be represented by 10 companies, Smeda – 18 companies, All Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Association – 30 companies, AHAN – 15 companies, Pakistan Software Export Board – 10 companies, All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association – five companies and Sindh Board of Investment – six companies.

Apart from local manufacturers, international exhibitors from the US, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Iran, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia will also come to showcase their products.

Like previous years, Lok Virsa will highlight the rich culture of Pakistan with the help of artisans and other performers while a fashion show will be held on September 26 and 27 to promote Pakistan’s designers.

Some 44 international store chains have confirmed their participation through Pakistan trade missions. Major names from South Korea are Lotte Mart, Elcanto Shoes Co, Elcanto Co, Hyundai Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store and Lotte Department Store.

From Malaysia, leading store chains are Mydin Mohammed Holdings, Simson Trading Sdn Bhd, Seherish Manufacturing, Komex, Vistula Group and Basket Zajawka.

Besides these, many store chains are coming from Japan, the UAE, the United Kingdom, Greece, Bahrain and Poland.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2013.

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