September 10, 2002	Tuesday	Rajab 2, 1423

KARACHI, Sept 9: The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has invited expressions of interest (EOIs) from private sector firms to construct a state of the art exhibition centre at Lahore on the basis of build, operate and transfer (BOT).

According to EPB sources here on Monday, the government has earmarked 50 acres of land for Lahore Expo Centre at a prime location.

The Federal government will provide funds for the construction of this centre while Punjab government has agreed to provide a land for this project under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) singed recently.

The internationally reputed firms or consortium, having expertise in running and managing such types of exhibition centres can also operate this centre on lease or rental basis after completion.

The sources said that the centre would provide ultra- modern exhibition facilities to the exporters of this region under one roof.

They said that the centre will provide facilities to exporters of Punjab province, which is producing about 60 per cent exportable goods, to display their products under one roof to local as well as foreign buyers.

The federal and Punjab governments have set up a steering committee for overseeing the establishment and management of Lahore Expo Centre.—APP