CHITRAL: A first-ever two-day ‘Chitral Expo’ kicked off here on Saturday, attracting a large crowd of people, including traders. Varied products and items specific to Chitral ranging from cuisines to minerals, gems and jewellery, wooden products and costumes were exhibited on the occasion.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) with the assistance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) and Chitral Chamber of Commerce and Industry arranged the exhibition, where Kalash cultural items are also being showcased.

Special assistant to chief minister for industries, commerce and technical education, Abdul Karim Tordher inaugurated the event. He inspected the stalls and had detailed discussion about the contents of the stalls with the owners.

Speaking on this occasion, he said Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf government was committed to reducing poverty in the province by tapping local resources to their full potential. “Different modes of investment, including public-private partnership, are being encouraged in this regard.”

Mr Karim said Chitral was endowed with fabulous natural resources, which had great potential to make the people prosperous. He said events like the Chitral Expo would act as catalyst to exploiting the region’s natural riches.

The chief minister’s aide said: “We must maintain cordial relations with our neighbouring country Afghanistan as Pakistan can forge trade links with the Central Asian Republics only through Kabul.”

Earlier, TDAP director general Mohammad Nasir said Chitral was the first destination where a regional expo was being held on the basis of its immense resources and opportunities as well location.

He hailed the cooperation of the provincial government to make the event a success, which would not only introduce the local products to national and international markets but also provide the local entrepreneurs with training opportunities and linkages with the outer world.

Liaqat Ali, a member of the Chitral Chamber of Commerce, highlighted some of the obstacles in the development of trade in Chitral.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024