KARACHI, Jan 6: The first meeting of the steering committee of Expo Pakistan 2006, presided over by Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan, on Friday approved a break-even budget of Rs153 million for the mega event being held on March 29 at Expo Centre.

Several issues pertaining to arrangements and security, including costs being incurred on different accounts and expected income to be generated through sponsorship and space allocation of stalls were discussed in the meeting.

Export Promotion Bureau vice-chairman Zafar Mahmood briefed the meeting about different aspects and programmes to be held during the three-day event, which is expected to be inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf.

There were cross questions and ideas from the committee members including Minister of State and chairman EPB, Federal secretary of commerce, federal secretary of foreign affairs, IG police Sindh, D G Rangers, heads of banks, chairman PIA and representatives from trade bodies.

The commerce minister formed various committees such as finance, entertainment, media, marketing and promotion etc., and disclosed the schedule of next three meetings to be held before the event.

Last year’s expo had a deficit budget of Rs18 million as expenditure stood higher at Rs136 million against receipts of Rs117 million. However, this year’s expo is expected to achieve a break even in its budget.

However, Humayun stressed upon National Bank of Pakistan president Ali Raza, head of the finance committee, to mobilize around Rs40 million through sponsorships and only then the government would give matching grant of Rs40 million.

This would mean that the break up of the budget will have three components, including Rs80 million from Export Market Development Fund (EMDF), Rs33 million will be collected on allocation of space to stallholders and Rs40 million from sponsorships from MNCs and local companies.

The commerce minister stressed upon the need to include programmes that reflect softer image of the country and said it should be part of the inaugural ceremony so that foreign and local dignitaries could witness them.

He was informed that around 1,030 to 1,270 foreign visitors were expected to attend the expo.

The minister formed a committee to enter into negotiations with hotel owners for arranging accommodation for foreign guests and businessmen at reasonable rates to avoid last year’s bitter experience.

EPB chairman Tariq Ikram informed the meeting that last year the bureau was unable to get refund for around 20 to 25 tickets purchased from the PIA for foreign guests. Responding to this PIA chairman said that it was a procedural matter and the airline could do little about it unless it was assured that the tickets issued against PTA were not utilized.

The minister asked the DG Rangers Sindh and IG Police Sindh to ensure that no security lapses occurred on the inaugural day when around 3,000 people were expected to visit the Expo Centre.

He said that proper and well-marked identity cards for all categories of visitors and guests should be made with the assistance of NADRA so that security personnel face no difficulty in identifying visitors.

Mr Khan nominated the EPB vice-chairman to head entertainment committee to ensure that quality and colourful events truly represent country’s culture and heritage. Similarly, he said that trade investment conference on the last day should be finished by midday.

Later talking to newsmen the commerce minister said that some mistakes and errors were made in Expo Pakistan 2005, but hoped that they would not be repeated this year.

Answering a question, he said that trade talks with India could not make any breakthrough unless there was progress on political side.

He further said that though India had given Pakistan the status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN), the balance of trade was still in favour of New Delhi.