KARACHI, Jan 28: At least 15 commerce ministers from different countries, including Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Uganda, will visit the Expo Pakistan 2005 along with their delegations and hold talks for bilateral trade promotion.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Export Promotion Bureau vice-chairman Abid Javed Akbar said that leaders of chambers of commerce of these countries would also accompany them and sign MoUs with the FPCCI and chambers of Karachi and Lahore.

Besides, delegations from the US, the EU, China, Latin American countries, the Middle East, Far East and African region have also confirmed participation at this first-ever mega exhibition of "made in Pakistan" products, he adds.

Mr Akbar said that the number of foreign guests willing to attend this exhibition was growing day by day and the EPB had sought the availability of state guest houses and Army mess other than five-star hotels for the lodging and boarding of foreign guests.

He pointed out that 10 sectors had been selected for displaying their products at the exhibition on the basis of unique items, established brands and style of products.

These are textiles and garments, gems and jewellery, leather, rice, sports goods, engineering goods, surgical items, pharmaceutical, fisheries, fresh fruits and auto parts.

Mr Akbar said that 450 exhibitors had so far booked space for stalls, while the remaining available space was sufficient for 50 stalls at the exhibition. He pointed out that an investment conference would also be held on February 3.

Besides, product clinics will be held for eight sectors to train Pakistani manufacturers, he added. The EPB vice-chairman said that UN procurement experts had been invited to teach procedures to Pakistani exporters to enable them to successfully participate in procurements. -APP