KARACHI, Nov 21: The business community sees the defence exhibition in a positive light. They feel that the mega event “IDEAS 2006 Pakistan” will open up new avenues for boosting civilian economy and go a long way in improving the country’s image.

They, however, gave mixed reaction to holding of the event at the venue in the middle of the residential area. They think that the main problem is traffic mess caused by closure of main arteries, digging up of roads and ongoing construction work all over the city. Besides, security measures taken to ensure a hassle-free movement of top military officials of Pakistan and foreign countries, delegates and guests to the event venue also created problems for the general public.

However, market observers believe that the exhibition of defence related items give an impression worldwide that Pakistan is interested in displaying its military muscles and building its image as a well-positioned military power. In sharp contrast, common man face stark realities like lack of basic facilities, water, power, education followed by rising poverty, democratic norm, political turmoil, etc. Dawn tried to solicit views from the businessmen on the holding of IDEAS 2006 and its impact on civilian economy.

Site Association of Industry Chairman Ameen Bandukda believes that this kind of event improves country’s image and gives an impression to foreign investors that Pakistan also enjoys an edge in hi-tech engineering and its related sectors. “This kind of exhibition lures foreign people to enter into business deal with local entrepreneurs, besides giving a good impression about improved security in Karachi.

He thinks that the location (Expo Centre) is ideal but security measures for the VVIPs create problems for the general public. The government should introduce such security measures in which roads and passages remain open for the people.

“I think helicopters could be used in bringing the VVIPs to the venue,” Mr Ameen said, adding that the government could also think of shifting the venue outside the city in order to avoid disturbance in the city.

He expressed surprise over the closure of educational institutions in the city. “Nowhere educational institutions are closed for holding an exhibition.”

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Masood Naqi says that country’s civilian economy benefits most when such huge number of foreigners land in the city. “Activities such as room occupancy of hotels, airline business, transportation, etc., thrive on such occasion and the government gets taxes and duties also. Even foreigners bring foreign exchange and spend them while shopping and purchasing of some kind of material in the exhibition.”

“Holding of such event of world repute is a good step. At least the world knows that Pakistan also excels in other field,” he said, dispelling the impression that such events cause traffic problems only in Karachi. “I have witnessed many grand events all over the world where traffic problems do occur. Even sometime one cannot find a taxi,” he said, adding that improvement in traffic management could help prevent big traffic problems in the city on such occasion.

Mr Naqi was of the view that the Expo Centre was not the right place for such events. These kinds of events should be held 40-50km away from the city in view of lack of infrastructure and proper handling of traffic load.

Due to inadequate infrastructure for free flow of traffic, the government had to close educational institutions on Tuesday, he added.

F.B. Area Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Masroor Ahmed Alvi said that economies of many countries relied on holding big events which generated economic activities in transportation, airline, hotel business, etc. These kinds of events in Karachi also boost civilian economy, but ultimately turn out to be a problem for the common man because of improper traffic management system.

“Common people are more concerned about their own economy. Exhibition or no exhibition, they have to go to their work and traffic disruptions make life more difficult for them,” he said.

He said the event should not be shifted outside Karachi. “The Expo Centre is the right place, but traffic management needs to be improved.”