March 1, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 30, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: Businessmen and traders of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have criticized the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for not giving them representation in international exhibitions.

“The Export Promotion Bureau only sends traders from Karachi to foreign countries to participate in exhibitions,” said Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Abdul Rauf at a meeting on Tuesday, says a press release.

He demanded that the government should direct the authorities concerned to allow the intending traders of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to participate in the trade fairs abroad.

The government has decided to convert the EPB into a Trade Development Authority, he added. He appealed to the prime minister to issue directives for representation of ICCI in the new authority.

Mr Rauf said under the WTO, all trade barriers had been demolished leading to an atmosphere of competition in the international market.

Therefore, he said, Pakistani commercial attaches abroad should serve as salesmen to promote their country’s products. He appealed to the prime minister to amend rules and regulations to appoint commercial attaches from the business community too.