ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: In order to expand country’s export base and create linkage with other regional countries especially with Central Asian Republics (CARs), the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is organizing a Pakistan Trade Caravan to display Pakistani products of interest in selected states from next week.
The caravan would comprise a series of two-day events in four Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan wherein Pakistani products especially textile, leather, agro, surgical, pharma products, engineering goods, handicrafts including wooden furniture, marble and brass would be put on display.
Official sources said, the road show would be divided in two groups, group “A” would exhibit products in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on May 13-14 and in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) on May 18 and 19.
While the group “B” of the Caravan would showcase its products in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on May 21 to 23 and in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) on May 27 and 28.
However, sources said that the Uzbek government didn’t allow TDAP to organize a trade exhibition in Tashkent because the Uzbek authorities have chalked out a security plan for upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tashkent, according to which the Uzbek Capital will remain closed for every type of public events from May 20 till the Summit.
But, on the other hand, the TDAP continues to insist that it will hold the Pakistan Trade Caravan in Tashkent as per plan.
The purpose of the exhibition is to increase export base, raise awareness on Pakistan and its products, provide opportunities for joint ventures, investment and brand franchising, exhibition and composite display.
It is worth mentioning here that the Prime Minister had visited the Central Asian Republics last year accompanied by sizeable business delegations to promote trade ties.
The road shows are the next step in capitalizing on the diplomatic goodwill generated during the visits by translating it into business opportunities for Pakistan.
According to the market complementarily analysis conducted by the TDAP there are large number of products which Pakistan is exporting in large volumes to the world and the Central Asian Republics are importing the same products from other global sources.
The road shows will provide the private sector an opportunity for market linkages and capitalize on the opportunities emerging out of the recent trade diplomacy initiatives.
The road shows would be funded through Export Development Fund and would be non-sale events aimed at raising the awareness of Pakistan’s products in the Central Asian market and assessing the acceptability and market response.
Based on the response to the road shows, Single Country Exhibitions would be subsequently organized in the CARs as B2B marketing events.
The marketing thrust in Central Asia is part of the strategy of Ministry of Commerce for penetration in regional markets and is a follow up to the diplomatic initiatives of the Prime Minister in Central Asia.
