Launching Texpo 2016: Govt to hold 120 exhibitions this year in different countries

Minister says sector-specific expos can help Pakistan attract buyers and business


Our Correspondent March 29, 2016
Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan at the soft launch of TEXPO16. PHOTO: TDAP

KARACHI: The government will organise 120 exhibitions in different countries this year to market local products and improve the country’s image that has been dented by terrorism incidents, said Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan.

Speaking at the soft launch of the ‘Texpo 2016’ at a local hotel, he said his ministry and its subordinate bodies have planned to organise a ‘one-of-a-kind, four-day, textile only exhibition’ that would be held at the Karachi Expo Centre from April 7 till 10 this year.



The exhibition would be held in four halls with 230 exhibitors representing the entire value chain of the textile sector; from yarn makers to other value-added products manufacturers.

“Despite all security issues; especially after the recent Lahore blast, the government has decided to stick with its plan for Texpo 2016. We want to tell terrorists that they cannot stop us,” said Dastgir.

He said his ministry was also launching an aggressive image-building campaign for the country through overseas exhibitions. These exhibitions have been planned in Iran, Central-Asian and other established countries to explore new markets for Pakistani products.

“We have learnt through experience that sector-specific exhibitions can help Pakistan attract buyers and business,” said Dastgir, shedding light on the purpose of arranging such an expo. “We are hopeful that Texpo 2016 will be a successful event in terms of attracting foreign buyers and generating useful business deals,” he added.

Commenting on the current decline in exports, Dastgir said it was not a Pakistan-specific problem. “China, India, Turkey and Thailand, all have experienced significant drop in their exports mainly because of the global economic slowdown.”

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), government’s body to promote exports, has already organised nine exhibitions in Pakistan.

TDAP Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha, giving further details on the upcoming expo, said that over 750 foreign delegates have been registered for the upcoming event, out of which 400 have confirmed their participation.

“These delegates are from 52 countries including Australia, Holland, Japan, China and Russia.

“The largest delegation, constituting 67 members, is coming from China while the British Business Centre United Kingdom (UK) - set up by the UK to facilitate bilateral trade and investment between UK and Pakistan - is bringing a 25-member delegation under the leadership of Baroness Nausheena Mubarik,” informed Agha.

“We also have 20 people coming in from Kazakhstan for the event, brought by the USAID,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th,  2016.

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COMMENTS (1)

Parvez | 7 years ago | Reply More money will be spent than earned......but government baboos will get a free ride to 120 countries....wow.
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