KARACHI, May 21: Despite the fact that normality has returned to Karachi after May 12 mayhem, many foreign exhibitors have started pulling out from the “My Karachi – oasis of harmony” exhibition to be held from June 1 to 3 at the Karachi Expo.
Sources said exhibitors from Bangladesh, Vietnam and India and a Dubai-based company have expressed their inability to participate in the show, to be organised by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
KCCI president, Majyd Aziz, told Dawn on Monday that a group of 14 Bangladeshi people was expected to display their products in 11 stalls at the event, but now they are withdrawing.
He was of the view that the Bangladeshi people are not realising that calm has prevailed after the law and order situation on May 12. Similarly, two Vietnamese exhibitors, who had booked their stalls, have decided not to visit Karachi.
Some Indian exhibitors (from Dubai and Mumbai) had planned to set up their stalls, but Dubai-based Indians are not coming, while Mumbai based people are expected to arrive.
“The mega event is still intact. We have started writing invitations to guests. We want to hold the event at any cost,” said the KCCI president.
The chamber is expecting arrival of 100-120 foreign exhibitors on their own expenses. The exhibition has over 200 stalls in which 60 stalls would be set up by women entrepreneurs. An estimated 500,000 people are likely to visit the event in three days.
“We have talked to the prime minister to support the event and even issue statements to encourage local and foreign visitors. The KCCI would also seek Sindh governor’s support in this regard,” he added.
However, the KCCI is now concerned over the May 25-27 strike call given by the Pakhtoon Action Committee Loya Jirga.
The KCCI president urged the Loya Jirga to withdraw their three-day strike call as it would have a negative impact on country’s economy. He appealed to political forces in Karachi not to make political mileage out of the May 12 tragedy.
Meanwhile, foreign travelers and local visitors cancelled their booking for rooms in all leading hotels soon after the spate of violence on May 12.
Room occupancy had plunged to hardly 10 per cent as compared to over 70 per cent before May 12.
Shamoon Bakar Ali, chairman of “My Karachi Exhibition Committee” said in individual capacity some four Indian exhibitors are arriving while Sri Lanka has the highest number of 30 visitors who will display their products at 28 stalls.
Moreover, seven exhibitors are arriving from Indonesia while two are coming from Belgium.
Two grand exhibitions were held in Karachi after May 12. The fourth international travel and holiday mart-2007 was held from May 18 to 20, followed by the fifth Pakistan, oil, gas and energy exhibition at Karachi Expo Centre from May 16 to 19 which attracted 240 companies from more than 34 countries all over the world.
