Foreign delegates show interest in Pakistani exports at TDAP exhibition

Items featured at expo include carpets, textile products, sports goods and handicrafts

KARACHI: Governor Mohammad Zubair, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah and Federal Commerce Minister Muhammad Pervaiz Malik inaugurated the 10th edition of Expo Pakistan titled 'Emerging Pakistan' at the Expo Centre on Thursday. The exhibition was organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

Delegates and participants from 70 countries attended the event featuring the wide range of Pakistan's export products to interact with prospective suppliers. The exhibition will continue till Sunday.

Speaking to the media, the federal commerce minister said the government was focusing on providing opportunities to local exporters to interact with prospective importers of their products. "The objective of the expo is to enhance export trade of the country, which could not be achieved without providing opportunities of interaction between buyers and sellers," he said. "This four-day expo will give a large number of businesses worldwide a headstart on buying and ordering for coming seasons," he said.



Core Pakistani products featured at the exhibition included bedding and towels, carpets and rugs, leather garments, textile products, readymade garments, sports goods, surgical instruments, handicrafts, information technology devices, fabric, knitwear and chemicals.

The countries from where delegates arrived to attend the expo included China, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, Japan, Maldives, United States of America and central asian countries.

A large number of foreigners attended the trade expo. PHOTO:PPI

TDAP Secretary Inamullah Khan said that the exhibition will help local entrepreneurs to display their products and enable foreign buyers to meet their procurement needs from Pakistan. "Our country has great potential in different sectors. I hope this expo will achieve desired trade objectives, which would help Pakistan in earning foreign exchange as well as meeting the import procurement needs of the country," he said.

CM's media talk

Speaking to the media at the expo, the CM commented on the recent political development - the alliance of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) - in the province.



"Formation of new political parties and alliances in the province would make no difference for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) because it is a deep-rooted political force of the country," Murad said.

The CM added that he could not understand what Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal wanted to say. "They merged both the parties together without any name of the new party," Murad sarcastically remarked . He quoted lyrics of an old song, "Kis naam se pukaron kiya naam hae tumhara [By what name should I address you? Tell me your name]".

Murad added that PPP had roots in all the provinces of the country and it was the only party which could steer the country out of the realms of fanaticism and extremism. "The predictions of [Mines and Mineral Development Minister] Manzoor Wassan have come true," he remarked.

The PPP believes in democracy and every party has the right to form alliances, Murad said. "We are not against any party but we oppose those who are against democracy and the federation," he said.

Replying to a question about the rumours of the return of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf to take over both the parties - the MQM and PSP - the CM said Musharraf was an absconder and was running from pillar to post abroad. "Let us see when he comes," Murad said.