The Expo Pakistan 2011 Fair will open new trade avenues for local businessmen particularly the farthest ones of South America to export a variety of products across the Atlantic markets, the exhibitors said on Thursday. A number of exhibitors displayed their different items from sportswear to food told Business Recorder about the event significance to them.
They said scores of foreign visitors, particularly from South America paid attention to their products by visiting the stalls. The fair, which has attracted large number of global buyers, would give an opportunity to local exporters, manufacturers and investors to begin formal trade on a larger scale with the Latin American states, they hoped.
"Response is quite positive from all foreign buyers visiting the fair particularly the South Americans who are taking keen interest in Pakistan made value-added textile products," said Chief Co-ordinator, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea), Ijaz A Khokhar, who is also exhibiting textile garments at the fair.
He said buyers from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chilli and other South American countries had visited the Prgmea combined stalls of its members, showing optimism the Expo Pakistan 2011 would provide a new beginning to the crisis-hit country with global trade and business opportunities.
He said the fair would also help the country reach new trade destinations which the local businessmen had scantly touched so far, adding that "the farthest markets of South American continent will give a huge rise the national economic growth. " About the exhibition arrangements, Khokhar said it was better organised this years as compared to the events of past, hoping the government's efforts to make the event successful by investing millions on it would yield big results.
He pointed out that some foreign buyers from UK had shown interest to visit garments manufacturing units in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad and see themselves the production process which was the sign of normality returned to Pakistan. "The international community is coming out of its old perception and keen to visit Pakistan's all cities and do business here," he added.
He hoped the exhibition would provide an opportunity to local manufacturers and exporters to seal business deals with international buyers for the two significant events of Christmas and New Year celebrations in the west for years 2012, 2013 and 2014. "Big buying is likely to take place because of the event, as some deals have finalised and some are in the pipeline," he hoped.
A group representing, the France biggest chain-store - Auchan also visited here the stalls which the Pakistan Commercial Consular in France, Surraya Butt had invited to see the Expo Pakistan Fair, he said, adding that such trade diplomats the country needed to seize global attentions.
Another Pakistani Commercial Consular in South America, Syed Tajammal Hussain had also played a key role in brining the trade delegations from the continent to the expo. "His efforts are also laudable," Chief Co-ordinator, Prgmea said. Head of Malik Handicrafts, Shabbier Malik who showcased calligraphic, Persian and Jalidar carpets at the fair said foreign delegates had visited his stall and hoped the exhibition would attract global attention before its concluding on October 23.
He said largely the Karachi based carpet manufactures were taking part in the exhibition and members of the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association from upcountry did not arrive for some reasons. "An Expo in Lahore has just concluded and the carpet exporters were too fatigued to visit Karachi immediately," Malik said. However, he showed displeasure over the unused space inside the exhibition hall, saying "exhibitors are not keen and spaces for stall were not booked". He said the foreign buyers were seen visiting the expo in an encouraging number.
Sales Manager for Naubahar - Amir Abubakar displayed a variety of rice told that South African and Russian delegation had visited his stall and showed interest in rice. Chinese exhibitors had also set their electric products on display. A female Chinese exhibitor of cotton, Sihan Liu representing Sichuan Headspring Trade Co Ltd, as Chief Marketing Manager, said she had been taking parts in Pakistani fairs since 2005. She said she had witnessed a great response from buyers of other countries who visited her stall. She said the exhibition was positive for her.
The exhibition showcases a huge variety of agri food, auto-parts, automobile, sports items and sports wear, leather products, handmade crafts of wood, embroidery, a range of local folk costumes of nearly all provinces, Chinese cellular phones, solar energy panes, textile garments, software, etc.