‘Dubai Expo an opportunity to unveil hidden treasures of Pakistan'

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has termed Expo 2020 Dubai as an auspicious opportunity to unveil the hidden treasures of Pakistan before the world.

Speaking as a chief guest at the media unveiling of Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in Karachi, the federal minister said: "Pakistan is a land of immense opportunities with a vast potential of promoting tourism, investment, agriculture, trade and industry."

The Expo 2020 will be held in Dubai from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, under the theme of “connecting minds, creating the future” and around 190 countries will participate in the expo to showcase their strongest potential to the world.

Prime Minister Imran Khan-led PTI government considers Pakistan as an emerging brand and taking concerted measures to highlight the country’s soft and positive image across the world, Fawad said, adding that the Expo Dubai 2020 would provide the country an opportunity to brand the positive sides of the motherland.

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In the past, he said, the menace of terrorism and extremism were associated with Pakistan but now, with dedicated and focused initiatives of the PTI government, Pakistan is emerging at the global level as a country exporting modern technological products.

“At the advent of the first wave of Covid-19, Pakistan is totally dependent over import to meet its requirements for prevention, detection and treatment of the contagion but due to untiring efforts of the government, now we are exporters of Covid related materials.”

He assured extensive cooperation of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to make the Pakistan Pavilion at the Dubai Expo a success, saying that such international events bring the countries together to brand their products and services to attract potential buyers.

"The UAE is the second home to Pakistanis and it is expected that a large number of expatriates would visit the expo while thousands of visitor from across the world will be there to explore the hidden treasures of Pakistan."

The federal minister also said instead of relying on the national exchequer, the ministry of commerce and its partners for the pavilion had collected over Rs1 billion which was a clear manifestation of the overwhelming confidence of the people, particularly of the business community on the PTI government.

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“Tourism is flourishing in Pakistan as the beautiful landscapes of the country are attracting not only inland tourist but foreigners as well,” he said and pointed out that to cater for the needs of an increasing number of tourists, the basic infrastructure should be improved and expanded accordingly.

The federal minister appreciated the attractive design and logo of the Pakistan Pavilion, saying that it would be the largest pavilion of the Expo Dubai that would present enchanting glances of Pakistan to the world.

He invited businessmen, entrepreneurs, IT professionals and artists to come forward and showcase their ideas at the expo to brand Pakistan as a hidden treasure.

Earlier, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdur Razaq Dawood highlighted the main features of the pavilion, saying that the Pakistan Pavilion with its prime location in the expo and attractive designs, structures and digital presentation would attract visitors from all around the world.

“We are going to project a progressive, tolerant, diversified and beautiful Pakistan that offers vast opportunities in various fields,” he said, adding that such international events are not merely focusing on the projection of products but their main purpose was to project the country.

Chief Executive Officer of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Arif Ahmed Khan, in his welcome note, said that the expo would continue for six months and participation of at least 25 million people from across the globe was expected in the event.

The Pakistan Pavilion, under the theme “The Hidden Treasure” with an attractive and inviting facade and an immerse walkthrough experience inside will showcase the country’s vast opportunities in tourism, commerce and investment to the millions of expected audience.

Shahid Abdullah and Noor Jahan Bilgrami shared details about the inner journey of the pavilion and informed that it would be divided into eight spaces encompassing archaeological treasures, tourist and religious sites, handicrafts, natural resources, music, art, food, culture, modern industry and business and employment opportunities.

The pavilion would offer the virtual experience of Pakistan’s breathtaking landscapes, cultural and religious diversity, rich artisan traditions and strong economic potential, they said, adding that through the six months there would be many cultural events and business seminars held in multipurpose halls of the pavilion.

On this occasion, the pavilion's logo for the Expo 2020 Dubai was unveiled before the media.

Officials of the TDAP, trustees from Patrons of Expo 2020 and the advisory committee were also present at the occasion.