May 17, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424

KARACHI, May 16: Minister of state and chairman Export Promotion Bureau Tariq Ikram on Friday promised to extend full cooperation to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its proposed Pakistan international trade exhibition to be held at the Karachi Expo Centre.

In a meeting held with KCCI president Mian Nasser Hayat Maggoo, the EPB chairman, however, suggested the Chamber should provide proper rationale against its demand of subsidy for the event.

Mr Tariq said if the event was focused on promotion of exports of different products and was going to attract foreign buyers the issue of subsidy could be considered on these merits.

He said the EPB had developed a promotional plan according to which exporters and manufacturers were facilitated for participation in international trade fairs as well as local events.

The Bureau, he said, also provided all possible assistance to the trade bodies to carry out their export promotional activities abroad and in the country, which were allocated to them. Similarly, all chambers and trade bodies, he said, also had their own promotional activities and calendar of events according to mandate and needs of their members.

The KCCI president also requested for the Expo Centre to be made available for this fair. The EPB chairman apprised the KCCI president of the EPB stance, which makes the Expo Centre available for every Pakistani who desires to carry out a proper trade activity within the guidelines proposed by the Bureau.

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry team was informed of the EPB’s proposal to hold a national event in collaboration with the FPCCI, chambers and prominent trade associations with a view to showcasing the entire range of exportable products, goods, and services of Pakistan under one roof.

Mr Tariq said this event would be calendared and would take place at the same time every year and provide a consistent forum and venue for the foreign buyers to visit and view the complete range of Pakistani products in the shape of goods and services.