LAHORE, Feb 12: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Thursday urged local industrialists to prepare for the WTO regime. The government would extend all-out help to industrialists in this regard , he said while talking to newsmen after inaugurating the 14-day industrial exhibition near the Fortress Stadium here.

The exhibition is being held along with the National Horse and Cattle Show which will begin on Feb 16 at the Fortress Stadium. Around 183 stalls have been set up at the exhibition which included 94 from the public sector. Official stalls from all four provinces and Azad Kashmir have also been set up.

The chief minister said the exhibition provided an opportunity to promote inter-provincial harmony. Products from other provinces and Azad Kashmir were creating a positive impact, he said.

Replying to a question on anti-smuggling measures, the chief minister said this was a federal subject. Federal agencies like the Customs were already fighting against this menace, he said.

Earlier, the chief minister took a round of the exhibition and visited various stalls particularly those established by other provinces and the Azad Kashmir government.

He welcomed artisans from other provinces and appreciated the quality and style of their products. The chief minister was presented a rug inscribed with Quranic verses at the Punjab Prisons stall.

Punjab ministers Raja Basharat, Arshad Lodhi, Ajmal Cheema and senior officials of the provincial government were also present on the occasion. The exhibition is expected to last till Feb 29.