'TDAP organized record number of 100 single country expos in a year'

LAHORE: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) successfully organised a record number of 100 single country expos in foreign countries to promote Pak products and attract foreign investors to Pakistan.

TDAP Chief Executive S. M. Muneer told APP on Saturday that a total of 118 expos were held, of which 100 in foreign countries. He said that during the foreign expos, a majority of the people took keen interest in Pak products, which he added were of international quality and economical than other countries in the world.

He said that he was the 4th TDAP chief from private sector since its creation and he would never led down the private sector by significantly improving its overall working on modern lines strictly in accordance with international criterion.

He said that first time in the history, since his induction in TDAP, all stalls were being allotted to interested exporters through balloting on merit while earlier, kick backs were talk of the town in this regard. He said that by the grace of Allah, even a single penny was used judiciously in the national interest and for the promotion of Pak exports.

To a question, the TDAP Chief said, "If a hair thin corruption was established against him he will immediately step down". He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had reposed confidence in him by appointing TDAP Chief and he could never think of single penny corruption.

In reply to yet another question, he said that he got removed four corrupt Director Generals of the authority and now it has totally been purged of corrupt elements. He said that before his induction, a scandal involving Rs 13 billion cropped up in the TDAP and most the officials including former federal ministers were facing cases in the NAB.

S. M. Muneer in clear words said, "He will never allow any one to exploit TDAP resources for personal gains. It is a national institution and will exclusively be used for the promotion of Pak products on top priority".

He said: "We have planned a series of more expos in foreign countries which he added will be announced shortly". He said that in India, our 3-day expo "Alaishan Pakistan" had become very popular as all its displayed products were sold out in one and a half days. He said that Indians had shown keen interest in Pak cotton products especially lawns and entire products of Lala Fabrics were sold out in a single day which speaks of popularity of Pak products.

When contacted to comment the TDAP performance, Vice President SAARC Chamber Iftikhar Ali Malik said, "We are proud of S. M. Muneer as he earned good name for Pakistan by holding 100 foreign exhibitions in a short span of time which speaks of good governance of the leaders of private sector especially making the TDAP corruption free state entity".