ISLAMABAD: As many as 33 engineering companies from Pakistan are participating in Hannover Messe 2017, a leading technology fair being held in Hannover, Germany, from April 24 to April 28, organised by the Engineering Development Board (EDB), Ministry of Industries and Production. According to a source, Johar Saleem, ambassador of Pakistan to Germany, visited Pakistan Pavilion and met the exhibitors on their stalls. He appreciated the quality of products displayed at the pavilion. He also appreciated the colour scheme selected by the EDB which made the Pakistan Pavilion one of the most attractive booths at the fairground. The ambassador appreciated the efforts of the EDB for organising the technology fair and assured its officials of all support for exporting engineering goods to European countries. Apart from potential exporters, the Pakistani delegation at the event also has fives professors from leading engineering universities of Pakistan who are visiting the exhibition to get exposure of emerging technologies, future engineering trends, state of the art machinery and the processes showcased at the event. This shall lead to dissemination of knowledge to the young graduates in addition to establishing university-industry linkage. The Pakistan Pavilion attracted visitors due to its design and central location. Giveaway items at the pavilion included mini footballs and green bags, which also attracted attention of the foreign visitors. The EDB had ensured Pakistan’s participation in Hannover Messe consecutively from 2006 to 2009, and revived this activity with the support of the Ministry of Commerce in 2016. The exhibitors at the event shared their experiences with the ambassador during his visit and thanked the government of Pakistan for prioritising participation of engineering sector in such specialised trade fairs through the EDB, which is a technical arm of the Ministry of Industries and Production and works very hard for the promotion of engineering industry of Pakistan for its integration into the global supply chain. This event was inaugurated jointly by the German chancellor and the prime minister of Poland on the eve of April 22, 2017. The ambassador urged the exhibitors to continue follow-up activities with the visitors at their booths to convert these opportunities into real business transactions, which will result in economic benefits for the country.