First ever Made in Pakistan trade fair in India

Monday, 19 January 2004, 20:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: India will host the first major single country trade show by Pakistan from March 3 to 11 that will showcase a range of products from heavy machinery to handicraft, sports goods and agriculture products. It is not that Pakistan has been absent from the trade exhibition scene in India, but never before has an event of this scale been planned in the country. With a rapid thaw in cross-border relations, Indian industry has been playing host to a number of big and small trade delegations from Pakistan over the last several months. The success and response garnered by 36 Pakistani exhibitors at the mega India International Trade Fair in November 2003 has encouraged the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to organise more such events this year. If the Mumbai International Trade Fair for Consumer Goods (MIFCG '04), being held at the Mumbai World Trade Centre (WTC) from February 9 to 15, is expected to see over a dozen Pakistani participants showcasing consumer products, the upcoming Made In Pakistan exhibition in the national capital could see well over 100 participants. The decision to host the Pakistan exhibition in the capital got a renewed boost at the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) chamber meeting held in Islamabad ahead of the agreement on a South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) on January 4. "We are expecting several major players from Pakistan to participate alongside medium and small industries. This is probably the first single country trade exhibition on this scale," said Krishna Kalra, additional secretary general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). To be held on the lawns of the Talkatora Garden, this will be a multi-sectoral show highlighting all aspects of the Pakistani economy. "It is aimed to help take-off on the SAFTA pact. Through advertisement and promotion jointly with FPCCI we are looking at the possibility of bringing in well over 100 exhibitors from Pakistan to help find market in India," Kalra told IANS. Judging by the initial response, particularly with the road, air and train links between India and Pakistan having been made operational, FICCI expects over 200 exhibitors to participate in the show. The only hitch foreseen is visa problems, but FICCI is optimistic that with both countries agreeing to increase staff in the respective high commissions these too would be sorted out. "We are hopeful that the visa condition would have been eased as also permission granted for vehicular movement across the barriers before the event," said Kalra. These are some of the issues discussed at the SAARC chamber meeting, which was addressed by the foreign ministers of both countries. This exhibition is being seen as a step towards channelising illegal and third country trade to direct trade. While official trade between the two countries is only around $400 million, through other routes it is estimated to be several times more. "From automobile components industries keen to find synergy with Indian manufacturers, we are expecting Pakistani industry to showcase engines, textiles, footwear, sports goods, as also traditional products like rosewood furniture, agri-products, marble and onyx ware, handicrafts, intricately embroidered garments as also gems and jewellery," said Kalra. Through counter sales and volume bookings, the exhibition would seek to create interest for greater trade relations between the Indian and Pakistani business communities "We are also discussing the possibility that FPCCI may bring a cultural troupe to give visitors a taste of authentic Pakistani culture and cuisine," said Kalra. Concurrent with the exhibition, the FPCCI president is expected to lead a business mission to a trade meet here.
Source: IANS
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