ISLAMABAD, May 8: Pakistan’s export of engineering sector will cross the $1 billion mark by the year 2007. Addressing a press conference on the performance of engineering sector at the Hanover fair here on Monday, Chief Executive Engineering Development Board (EDB) Imtiaz Rastgar said the government had provided many initiatives for increasing the export of the engineering goods.

“A jump of $250m alone in engineering goods and services’ export is envisaged by the year 2007,” he claimed. Answering a question, he said that the EDB had identified 30-35 sub-sectors, which had the potential for export and integration in the world market.

Mr Rastgar said that the EDB for the first time was doing a survey and analysis on sectoral basis to identify the sectors having potential for exports.

The chief executive said that some individual companies received enquiries and orders were also placed with some Pakistani companies, which participated in the Hanover expo last year.

When asked about the exact quantum of export orders received after participation in the last exhibition, Mr Rastgar said that he did not have the statistics but he could only provide information about few companies, which received export orders or enquiries.

He said that 58 companies from diverse engineering sub-sectors fielded in three relevant technology categories for maximum exposure. He said that in the year 2004, only five companies participated in the exhibition, which rose to 35 in the year 2005.

He said that the government spent Rs45 million on booking of space in the fair while Rs36.8 million were paid by the exhibitors and members of the delegation numbering about 210. — Our Reporter