Bilateral trade: Indian exhibition draws to a close

Food, jewellery and clothes were major attractions.

LAHORE:

“The governments of India and Pakistan should develop a mechanism allowing more direct trade between the two countries. Pakistan should grant India the most favoured nation status as soon as possible,” businessman Amin Mazhar Butt said. He was speaking at the concluding day of the Indian show at the International Expo Centre at Johar Town on Sunday.

As many as 103 stalls of various Indian products had been set up at the show, including diamonds, gold jewellery, precious gems, herbal medicines, embroidery, paints, electronic products, coffee, spices and clothes.

Heta Mehta of Laxmi Jewellery said, “The response to the exhibition was wonderful. Ladies loved the diamonds, as well as gold and silver jewellery.”



Mehta said such initiatives encouraged people-to-people contact and generated investment opportunities for businesses on both side of the border.

“Traders can learn from each other through such activities,” he said.

Farwah Hassan, a housewife, said, “The diamonds jewellery is marvelous. I have purchased earrings, rings and a necklace. Indian designers are very skilled.”

Thousands of women visited the jewellery stalls. The salesmen said more than 80 per cent of the items on display were sold.

Bibek Jyoti Roy, deputy director of the Spices Board of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said, “Visiting Pakistan for the third time was amazing. We came to bridge the gap between Pakistani importers and Indian exporters.”

A large number of people showed interest in spices sourced from India.

Coffee stalls also attracted many customers.

Sania Saleem, a volunteer from Pakistan who was serving free India coffee, told The Express Tribune Indian coffee tradition was 400 years old. She said it was grown at in Karnataka, which was among the world’s rainiest hill ranges.

Sehar Raza, a visitor, said the coffee was delicious.

“I would love to get my hands on more of this coffee,” she said.

She urged the government to open trade with India so that people get a chance to experience and explore more products from the neighbouring country.

Sadia Younis, another visitor, said, “I am amazed at the intricate jewellery designs. I purchased earrings, a necklace, pendants, bangles, a bracelet and a ring.”

Basakpara Tangail Tantubay’s handmade saris, duppattas, and shalwar kamees were also popular items.

JS Bhullar, the head of business development of agricultural implements and tractor parts at OEM Suppliers told The Express Tribunee that his company was among the biggest exporters of agricultural products from India. He said he was impressed with the interest shown by farmers in his company’s products.

“I request the governments of both the countries to give us more such opportunities,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2014.