KARACHI, March 7: The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and three major sponsors of ‘Expo Pakistan’ 2006, on Tuesday signed an agreement to provide funds to the tune of Rs45 million to meet the expenditure of the mega event to be held here from March 29 to April 1, 2006. The total expenditure have been estimated at Rs148 million.
Minister of Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan and the steering committee members were given a detailed presentation by the vice chairman EPB Zafar Mahmood on expenditure as well as programme of events to be held during the three-day mega event being held for the second consecutive year to attract foreign buyers and also to improve country’s soft image.
Giving details about the source of funds for meeting the expected expenditure of Rs148 million, the vice chairman EPB said that the major chunk of Rs80 million will come from Export Market Development Fund (EMDF), Rs45 million will be raised or given by the sponsors and Rs23 million will be raised from booking of stalls for the exhibition.
The minister gave some suggestions on the occasion and also pointed out that each event, it may be of fashion, art or investment, should not be of a full day duration because the participants generally lose interest in such lengthy proceedings. The objective could be easily achieved in short and compact acts of not more than half a day.
Besides, three major sponsors – HBL, PIA and NBP – there are some other half a dozen small and medium sponsors who would be contributing towards the expected cost of Rs45 million. There are three major heads of expenditures: first, rent of hotel rooms, which comes to around Rs40 million, second, travel expenses amounting to Rs25 million and third, the venue management cost at the Expo Centre, at Rs30 million.
Zafar Mahmood informed the steering committee members of Expo Pakistan that special concession were being given to exhibition stalls booked by women entrepreneurs. He further said that the last day of the exhibition, April 1, will be open for general public with a ticket of Rs200 per person.
However, there was some difference of opinion on the entry charge, some members wanted to reduce the charge, while others felt it normal. However, Provincial Minister for Industries Adil Siddiqui said that if the charges were reduced, it will create a huge rush at the Expo, which would be difficult to manage. Finally, it was decided that the committee should first determine the number of tickets to be issued.
There was lengthy discussion on the issue of inviting local dignitaries to the Expo and it was decided that only relevant people should be invited so that foreign guests could get proper and full attention from the organizers of the show.
Similarly, it was agreed that only city-based businessmen and diplomats should be invited and even this will take the total number of expected invitees to 3350, including 1,500 foreign guests, 350 exhibitors and 1,500 local investors. The EPB has booked 964 rooms in nine hotels in the city for its foreign guests.
Zafar Mahmood said that about 300 guest relations officers (GROs) trained by the PIM will look after the foreign guests. There will also be emergency medical facility on hand, he added.
The commerce minister stressed upon the need to ensure that registration of foreign guests should be made in their respective hotels and each GRO should be empowered to resolve or at least attend any problem faced by the guest.