Karachi, (Feb 27): A large number of foreign and local business delegations attended the Pakistan's biggest trade fair - Pak Expo-2015- that began Wednesday at the port city's Expo Centre.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammed Nawaz Sharif joined the inauguration ceremony as chief guest held at the venue.
Commerce Minister of central government Ghulam Dastagir, Governor of Sindh Province Dr Ishratul Islam Ibad and chief executive of Trade Development Authority (TDAP), the premier trade promotion organisation of Pakistan, SM Muneer, spoke among others at the function.
According to the TDAP, as many as 1260 foreign business persons from 61 countries including Bangladesh, Japan, the USA and European Union have been attending the fair.
On the first days of the fair, businesses witnessed participating business to business meetings (B2B), signing memorandum of understating (MoUs) on the different business areas.
More than 500 exhibitors from different parts of Pakistan have been showcasing the latest and innovative produces in different areas ranging from textile-gem-engineering-agro-beauty products-furniture- in the fair that marked the ninth events since 2005.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh delegation members told the FE that they have been exploring new business opportunities in Pakistan and hinted that some might sign business deals including fresh fruits imports from the country.
The fair is being held at six large halls of the Expo Centre run by the TDAP, the trade promotion organisation recast in 2005 replacing the export promotion bureau.
Speaking the function as chief guest Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged the foreign delegates to raise business with the Pakistan arguing the South Asia is being considered as new economic hub by many.
He said Pakistan wants to raise its export volume to the tune of US$ 50 billion, from the existing $ 25 billion by 2019.
He said the nagging energy crisis to be solved shortly and policy supports to be given to develop the economy.
In the meantime, a number of Bangladeshi business people that comprised of 15 delegates expressed their keen interest on the fruits -kinnows, basmati rice, onion and computer software services.
FBCCI director Shafquat Haider, chairman of Epsilon, a computer-based company in Dhaka, managing partner of Tasho Enterprises Shalimul Haque Essa were among the Bangladeshi business persons attended different business meetings with the Pakistani entrepreneurs.
The four-day fair begins each day from 10 am and close at 5 pm will come to an end March 01.
There was no fair in 2014. It was earlier scheduled sometime in October last but was deferred on the grounds of political programmes including sit-in programme in Islamabad.
However, the last fair that held in 2013 had generated over $1.0 billion business, TDAP sources claimed.
Bangladesh delegation met Friday afternoon with the TDAP chief SM Muneer at the venue and discussed many bilateral business issues.
jasimharoon@yahoo.com
Import from BD may see rise
Jasim Uddin Haroon | Published: February 28, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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