HARIPUR: A group of entrepreneurs from Hattar Industrial Estate here would attend the Nepal Expo to be held in Kathmandu in March next year to explore new opportunities for enhancing trade between the two countries.

This was announced by Dr Chan Mubarak Hazarvi, chairman Human Development Social & Islamic Committee of Haripur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI).

Briefing the media here on Saturday, he said the two countries had decades-old trade ties, but the trade volume failed to reach the desired level.

Dr Hazarvi said during the last 23 years exports from Pakistan witnessed an annual increase of only 0.45%, from $4.99 million in 1998 to $5.54 million in 2021, while exports from Nepal during this period stood at only $1.81 million.

He said Pakistan’s geostrategic position in South Asia had potential of connecting not only to Nepal but also to other South Asian and central Asian countries, especially those landlocked geographically.

Dr Hazarvi said industrialists from Hattar would showcase their maximum potential at the Kathmandu Expo and explore the avenues of drawing benefit for Pakistani entrepreneurs from the industrial potential of Nepal.

He said Nepal’s ambassador to Pakistan Tapas Adhikari had visited HCCI the other day, and evinced interest in expansion of trade potential further. The ambassador, he said, also invited the local industrialists to participate in the Kathmandu Expo 2024.

Meanwhile, Tanzeem-i-Asatiza Pakistan, Haripur chapter, elected its new cabinet here on Saturday.

According to results, principal Government Higher Secondary School, Kotnajibullah, Dr Amir Atiq Siddiqi was elected president and Masoodur Rehman from Government Higher Secondary School, Rehana, general secretary.

Fazal Mahbood Wajid was elected vice-president, Zaheeruddin Babar joint secretary, Fawad Sidiq secretary finance and Mujeebur Rehman secretary information.

Meanwhile, Tahir Mohammad Farooq was elected president and Abdul Basid Qureshi general secretary, respectively, for the association’s Haripur tehsil chapter.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2023