KARACHI: Two-day fourth “My Brand Expo” organized by the Pakistan International Business Forum will start at Karachi Expo Centre on 3rd January. More than 700 brands will be on display by 270 companies at 570 stalls set up in all six expo halls.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in Hall 1. The entry will be free to all.
The leadership of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman are scheduled to grace the inauguration ceremony.
This was stated by President of PIBF, Sohail Aziz, during a media briefing at Karachi Press Club. He was flanked by the forum’s General Secretary Muhammad Amir Rafi and Information Secretary Syed Bilal Gauher.
He said that PIFB was no longer just a show but a big practical step towards Pakistan’s economic stability and self-reliance.
He said that on the sideline, there will recreational activities as well for the families, especially for children. Also, there will be lucky draws, to be held every hour on both days.
All the winners will enter their phone numbers and put their PINS in the lucky draw box. Dozens of items, including Umrah return tickets, EV scooters, laptops, tablets, motorcycles, home appliances, kitchen appliances, sports kits and perfumes will be given as prizes.
Muhammad Amir Rafi said that this time the forum has given great importance to the youth and women entrepreneurs, because both are very important for achieving the goal of economic prosperity. “Many women have come forward to get stalls.”
This year, two special pavilions have been set up: one for the young entrepreneurs and other for women entrepreneurs, which is named “Khadijat-e-Kubra Business Hub”.
The stalls will include perfumes, cosmetics, fashion designers, plastic products, bakery products, daily use items, food and drink stalls, besides a play area for children.
He said the youth have organized the Techno Fest, which is a manifestation of their capabilities and a proof of the bright future prospects of the country. A conference of CEOs will also be held at the Techno Fest, where JI Ameer Hafiz Naeem–ur–Rehman will deliver the keynote address. As a result of the Techno Fest, there will be possibilities of generating job opportunities for the youth.
Sohail Aziz said that this time all the stalls were booked several days ago, due to which we had to regret to many big companies because large spaces were not available as per their requirement.
The leaders of the business forum stated that this is also a family program in which many families are expected to participate.
He said that since PIBF is a non-profit organization, all the income from the expo will be donated to charity. Even before this, several million rupees were given to the victims of Gaza in both years.
Rafi stated that the Pakistan International Business Forum extends professional guidance to the start-ups, even with very nominal capital, to help them as successful businesses.
“We have a team of business experts from different economic sectors who guide new entrants, especially the youngsters and women entrepreneurs,” said Syed Bilal Gauher.
Highlighting the main features of the International Business Forum, Sohail Aziz said that it is non-profit organization set up in 1995, with its chapters in 42 countries. These chapters are called forums, named after the host countries like the Turkish International Business Forum.
The forum is tasked with promoting trade among 42 member countries. The annual grand assembly of the forum is organized in Istanbul, Turkiyie.
He said that Pakistan International Business Forum is linked with all major and small trade bodies/chambers of the country.
“We are their inclusive partners, ” he remarked, adding that PIBF used to give its input on many trade and economic issues to the government for better policies.
To a media question, M. Amir Rafi emphasized on more targeted efforts to strengthen macro-economic indicators, mainly the balance of payments’ profile.
The country needed rapid industrialization, for which SMEs need to be focused on as these have proved the engine of economies throughout the world.
PIBF, he said, through interaction with many manufacturers, has identified that main problems were the marketing and promotion of the products.
“We want an investment-led and exports-led economy,” he asserted.
Sohail Aziz pointed out that in the Federal Ministry of Commerce, there was a dedicated division for brand development , but he regretted, it was in-efficient and not delivering.
To a question, he hinted at holding a single country exhibition within the next three or four years.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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