Expo Pakistan: Large Malaysian delegation headed for Pakistan

Malaysian trade development body to participate in this year’s exhibition.

ISLAMABAD: A 60-member delegation of Malaysian entrepreneurs and businessmen is set to attend the 8th edition of Expo Pakistan organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to be held in Karachi on from September 26 to September 29, 2013.

According to a statement by the Pakistan High Commission to Malaysia received here on Monday, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia, Shahid MG Kiani, stated that “The participation of such a large delegation from Malaysia, which had the largest foreign representation in Expo Pakistan last year as well, is a clear manifestation of the trust and confidence the Malaysian business community has in the Pakistani market and I am sure the visit would pave the way for more business matchmakings and economic collaborations.”

“An interesting feature of this year’s Expo is that Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is also the participating in the event for the first time. MATRADE is sponsoring 30 Malaysian companies comprising about 60 businessmen. If we add the two sets of businessmen sponsored by TDAP and MATRADE, their combined strength would be more than 100. I don’t recall Expo Pakistan having ever received such a large number of businessmen from any single country throughout its eight year history” said Wajihullah Kundi, the Commercial Counselor of Pakistan High Commission to the participants during the briefing.

He added that the interfacing of businessmen participating in last year’s event had resulted in the concluding of business deals worth $518million, 70 memorandums of understanding, and the participation of over 1,000 buyers from 75 countries in the event which also brought over 15,000 business visitors to 355 stalls.

Both Pakistan and Malaysia were signatories of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) operational since January 2008. The FTA was Pakistan’s first comprehensive agreement encompassing trade in goods, services, investment and economic cooperation, said Kiani.

Kiani and Kundi also briefed the delegates on the arrangements made by TDAP for providing a business-friendly atmosphere to the Expo delegates. He thanked the Malaysian delegates for their interest in attending the Expo Pakistan, and particularly mentioned those who were attending the event for the second consecutive year.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2013.

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