KARACHI: Expo Pakistan is the biggest trade fair in Pakistan, showcasing the largest collection of Pakistan’s export merchandise and services. Foreign exhibitors, from neighboring countries, also use this platform to launch their products.

Held annually in the month of October, the four day Expo Pakistan has become the primary sourcing point for a large number of businesses worldwide, giving them a head start on the buying and ordering for coming seasons.

First held in 2005, the success of last Expo Pakistan in 2011 was manifested by the participation of a large number of local and foreign buyers who settled business deals estimated at US$ 518million as compared to deals estimated at US$ 80 million, the year before.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan invites you to the 7th Expo Pakistan being held from 4 to 7 October 2012 at the Karachi Expo Centre and become part of the largest ever showcase of Pakistan’s exportable merchandise and services.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan inaugurated the 7th Expo Pakistan, a four-day mega event being organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

The inaugural ceremony was held at Governor’s House. This four day event is being held at Expo Center Karachi. Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghori was also present on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion the Governor said around 1000 foreign exhibitors, delegates and guests from over 70 countries across the globe are attending this mega event. He said the exhibitors would be showcasing their products and services at the Expo Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s exports had hit $25 billion mark a year back and there is huge potential to increase country’s export to higher level.

He appreciated the efforts of Commerce Ministry and TDAP to further increase country’s exports. He thanked the foreign guests who arrived here to attend this mega event.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Commerce Secretary Munir Qureshi said in order to continue the momentum generated in the year of exports, TDAP has organised this mega event. He pointed out that there are about 300 exhibitors and over 500 foreign buyers at the Expo. This in itself is no mean achievement, considering that Pakistan has been facing multiple issues lately, like terrorism, he added.

He congratulated the TDAP for putting in a lot of work and efforts in organising the Expo, which would show the soft image of Pakistan to the world, as the international media beams pictures all around.

He said Pakistan is committed to multilateralism in trade matters. “We are also moving ahead on bilateral and regional trade agreements and are not simply waiting for the successful conclusion of an already delayed Doha Round,” he said.

“While we have concluded numerous free trade and preferential trade agreements, active work is being done at the ministry in order to gain more and more market access for our exporters and conclude agreements with Indonesia, Turkey, GCC and others,” he added. He said the commerce ministry is in the process of moving into the second phase of the Pak-China Free Trade Agreement, wherein more items would be added to the duty-free export list to China.

He said the commerce minister led a large business delegation to India, which created a lot of positive synergy amongst policymakers and leaders on both sides of the border. He pointed out that the business and trade relations are fast normalising between the two neighbouring countries, which would bring immense benefit to people of both countries.

President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Haji Fazal Qadir Sheerani congratulated the ministry of commerce and TDAP for organising such a mega event in Pakistan. He said it is an opportunity to showcase quality Pakistani products and services at this mega event to increase country’s export to higher level.

He said FPCCI would fully support the TDAP in organising such Expos that would definitely help to increase country’s exports. A large number of foreign delegates, exhibitors, diplomats, businessmen and others attended the event. (monitoring)