30 January 2005	Sunday	19 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 29: The Expo 2005, being held from February 2 to 5, will be extended for two more days to February 7 on a proposal of the Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad who wants that maximum number of people of Karachi should enjoy and educate themselves on the industrial and economic progress of their country.

The proposal for two days extension of the Expo 2005 was immediately accepted by the State Minister and Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau Mr Tariq Ikram at a press conference held jointly with the Sindh Governor at the Governor House on Saturday evening. "I will ask the exhibitors to continue their exhibition for two more days," the EPB Chairman promised who also pointed out that it may add to the expenditure he estimated at Rs150 million.

The Sindh Governor called the holding of Expo 2005 a historic mega event of the city that would portray the achievements and hard work put in by the Pakistanis in industrial sector and other fields. He was confident of making this event a great success with the help of the people of Karachi who earlier had made the holding of a cricket match and Ideas 2004 exhibition a great success.

Dr Ibad said that people have owned and participated in the events held in the city in last few years and will definitely do so in organizing the Expo 2005, which is going to bring laurels to them and their city.

"The people will bear some of the difficulties in flow of traffic in the larger national interest," he hoped.

Earlier, the Chairman of the EPB Tariq Ikram said that the Bureau has booked 750 rooms in all the big hotels of the city and have regretted about 250 others for want of comfortable accommodation. Trade ministers from 13 countries and delegation of 28 chambers of commerce and industry from various countries are coming to visit Expo 2005.

He informed the pressmen that visitors from 77 countries are coming at the Expo 2005 which will exhibit Pakistan's success story in last five years during which exports surged by 43 per cent.

"Like China, Pakistan too has become a source of variety of industrial goods and services for many countries of the world," he said.

The Expo 2005 will be inaugurated on February 2. On February 3 a workshop Trade and Investment conference is being held while next day a products workshop will be organized.

Tariq Ikram estimated an immediate export gain of $15 to 20 million from the exhibition but it is bound to have long term impact in terms of the contacts and contracts between Pakistani exporters and foreign buyers.

About 450 companies including 46 ladies are setting up their stalls. Ladies exhibitors have been given 50 per cent discount.