'Made-in-Pak' shows to be held in India
M. Somasekhar
Recently in Islamabad
Even as India-Pakistan relations show signs of improving with Secretary-level talks scheduled for the near future, there are big aspirations among trade and industry, which is planning exhibitions and 'Made in Pakistan' shows in India later this year.
"Trade can bridge relations between the two countries and we are working hard towards holding a few exhibitions in different Indian cities," said Mr Khurshid Barlas, Chief Executive, Pak World Trade and Expo Centre in Islamabad.
Between October and December 2010, more than 100 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and big traders will participate in three major fairs scheduled in Chandigarh and Amritsar in India, Mr Khurshid told Business Line.
A concerted effort is also under way to organise a 'Made in Pakistan' expo in New Delhi towards the last quarter of 2010. In May (12-16), a 'Made in Pakistan' products exhibition is being organised in Kathmandu, Nepal, he said.
The interest to participate in more shows and increase trade links grew out of the 'big response' received by stalls put up by more than 75 Pakistani participants in the Chandigarh trade fair organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) during December 2009, Mr Khurshid, who is also a senior committee member of The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said.
There is good demand for leather items, furniture, handicrafts, ladies dress material (Multan, Bhawalpur, Sindh), traditional footwear, kitchen items, dry fruits as well as cement from India. The Rawalpindi Chambers has over 2,500 members and there is growing interest to participate in India fairs, he said.
From India, drugs, IT services and products, and a wide range of other products could be sourced.
Raw material
"Pakistan has raw material for gemstones in Peshawar, Gilgit, etc. At present, it goes to Sri Lanka or Thailand for cutting and polishing. After that it is sent to Dubai for sale. We have a good option to go to Jaipur for cutting and polishing and thereafter India offers a market, we can also export to Dubai," he said.
"All this can be done at a much less cost, so that the trader benefits. We are hoping that such opportunities are understood by both sides and advantages utilised." Mr Khurshid also felt there was a strong case to increase trade among SAARC nations.
Though the headquarters of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce is in Islamabad, only 100 companies in Pakistan are given visas every year to trade in the region.