January 11, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 7, 1423

FRANKFURT, Jan 10: The largest home textile show Heimtextil began here on Wednesday where a record number of Pakistani companies are displaying a wide variety of products.

The organizers of the show told APP that this year 216 Pakistani companies were exhibiting home textile products including drapery, bedlinen and bed wear, towels, curtains, upholstery, etc. Last year, 156 Pakistani companies had the stall at world’s largest home textile show. This year, about 60 new companies from Pakistan were provided space at the show.

Messe Frankfurt, the organizers of Heimtextil have added a 10th hall for organizers where textile companies from Pakistan, China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh are holding their stalls.

This year, 3,251 exhibitors from 71 countries are holding their stalls at the show where 100,000 foreign buyers from 91 countries are expected to visit the exhibition.

Leading Pakistani textile companies attracted a significant number of buyers at their stalls and held negotiation. However, they did not give details.

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan also arrived at Frankfurt to hold a meeting with his counterpart in Berlin. He will visit Heimtextil on January 10 and stay with Pakistani exporters for entire day.—APP