NEW DELHI, July 8: Indian handicrafts, jewellery and textiles products will be promoted in Pakistan through a trade exhibition next year in Karachi, which will also feature Bollywood shows.
The fair would be organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), its Chairperson and Managing Director Rita Menon said today.
“First time, ITPO would organise a fair in Pakistan on its own. We are going there next year to reciprocate the Lifestyle Pakistan exhibition which was held in April here,” she told.
Besides showcasing and selling the products, the fair will include programmes from Bollywood.
“…We will also organise a Bollywood show and some cultural programmes at the exhibition,” Menon said.
The exhibitors would showcase a variety of products including textiles, leather, handicrafts, spices, processed food, furniture and pharmaceuticals.
“Our exhibitors will showcase a number of items. For example, we are intending to take textiles items like zardozi-embroidered garment, brocades, silk and cotton. Also, beautiful intricate jewellery would be displayed,” Menon said.
Textiles items like zardozi, silk and brocade are in big demand in Pakistan market.
India’s apex trade promotion body ITPO has an agreement with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to promote trade activities for the benefit of people.
The ITPO would also showcase the country’s medical tourism to promote the sector.
The fair is not going to be solely a business-to-business (B2B) one, but would also be open for the general public.
Holding of fairs in each other’s country is a part of the efforts to normalise the relations between the two countries.
Also, Pakistan government had approved switching over from a positive list to a negative list regime for trade with India.
The move to trade with India based on a negative list will eventually culminate in the granting of most-favoured nation (MFN) status to India—leading to normal trade ties between the two countries. India accorded Pakistan MFN-status in 1996.
During 2010-11, India exported goods worth USD 2.33 billion to Pakistan, while its imports were USD 330 million. (PTI)
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