LAHORE, March 26: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is all set to hold the Lahore Shopping Festival from April 3 to 10 to promote trade and business activities, investment and soft image of the country.

The festival is being organised in collaboration with the Punjab government and it will also highlight cultural heritage of the city, LCCI President Shahzad Ali Malik said at a briefing to the media about the weeklong festival.

He said Lahore always attracted local and foreign visitors to its cultural festivals like Horse and Cattle Show, Mela Chiraghan and Basant. He said Lahorites traditionally liked festive activities, but “unfortunately the gloom in economy and some terror activities dampened cultural and social activities”. He said “we have failed to educate our youngsters about the rich cultural heritage of this city”.

The festival would kick off on April 4 with the final of LSF Polo Tournament at the Lahore Polo Club. All leading business families, economists and scholars would be invited to the final.

There would be a Qirat competition on April 5 in which best Qari would be awarded Rs100,000 and Umra ticket. On April 6, there would a vintage car rally from Siddiq Trade Centre in Gulberg to Liberty Chowk in which around 50 cars manufactured from 1920 to 1965 would take part. Former commerce minister Shahzada Alam Monnoo would take part in the rally with his 1965 Rolls Royce. The same day Young Entrepreneurs Business Plan Competition would be arranged at 90 Shahra-i-Quaid-i-Azam and the best planners would be given prizes. A musical evening would be organised at Raiwind Road.

LCCI Senior Vice-President Shiekh Arshad said after a peace walk from LCCI to Alhamra at 10:30am on April 7, a photography competition, especially for photographs of Lahore city, would be held at the Tollinton Market Hall.

On April 8, Lahore Wrestling Championship would be held at Punjab Wrestling Stadium. The same day, two-day Punjab Expo would commence at the Expo Centre where manufacturers and traders would showcase their products at discounted rates. The same day, a heavy bikes rally would be organised from LCCI office to Lahore Expo Centre. Then a fashion show would be held at Royal Palm at 8 pm.

On April 9, there would be a conference on Investment Opportunities in Lahore at Lahore Expo Auditorium in collaboration with investment wing of the Punjab government. The next day would start with a cycle race from LCCI to Expo Centre.

On the last day of the festival, a concert and cultural show would be held at Shahi Hamam at 8pm. Throughout the week, commercial markets and some important places would be decorated to give the city a festive look. Markets like Anarkali would offer goods at discounted rates.