Daily Times

KARACHI: The Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has presented a special report on Pakistan Trade Caravan to the Central Asian Republics (CARs), which was held from May 13 to May 25 in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgystan.

The report, presented by TDAP Secretary Rabia Javeri Agha, highlighted the opportunities generated through various business-to-business (B2B) meetings held during the road shows. Giving details, she said the trade caravan started with an exhibition in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which received tremendous response from local buyers and visitors.

The exhibition was followed by a fashion show in Mega Mall Almaty where renowned designers and textile companies, including Amir Adnan, Huma Adnan, Alkaram, WJK, Ayesha Ibrahim and GOGI by Hassan Riaz, showcased their collections.

The foreigners were amazed to see the beautiful textile exhibition of the trade caravan, which included displays by ChenOne, Gul Ahmed, Sapphire, Alkaram, Bareeze, Rang ja, Chinyere, Leisure Club, Kayseria, Serena Textiles and many more from the local market.

The report informed that the trade caravan reached Bishkek, Kyrgystan, on May 18. The city had already been flourished with promotions of Pakistan’s exhibitions. TDAP had made special arrangements of B2B meeting for delegates and exhibitors, while a number of buyers showed keen interest in leather, pharmaceutical, textile, surgical instruments and sports goods.

The report stated that the historic Silk Route was reopened by TDAP on May 23 at Bishkek. Held at the Hyatt Hotel, some 45 companies and over 100 delegates were present to showcase Pakistani products from textile and pharma to fruits and handicrafts. Response from Bishkek was greater than expected with hundreds of people thronging into the exhibition even before its official opening, the report added.

The highlight of the show was a mango tasting event. Over three tonnes of mangoes were brought to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, courtesy of Pakistan’s mango exporters, Union Fruits and Mohammad Din and Sons. The mangoes were prepared in the form of various drinks and deserts for consumption of the visitors, who seemed mesmerised by the quality of the fruit.

On a query, Rabia said CARs represent a unique combination of geographical and ideological connection to Pakistan with age-old roots of common religious and cultural heritage. “Pakistan has a very strong realisation of the significance of Central Asia and seeks to promote relations at all levels with CARs,” she added.

Javeri said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to Central Asia was a gesture to show that Pakistan wants connectivity in the region besides increasing the existing level of cooperation with CARs. The support extended to Pakistan by CARs for gaining full membership with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is proof of the mutual bonds and high regards, the TDAP secretary opined.

“With the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and Pakistan’s accession to TIR Convention and WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, there is every reason to believe that the advent of a closer and stronger partnership between Pakistan and the CARs has truly arrived,” she said.

Rabia added that TDAP aspires to build upon these foundations of mutual cooperation and therefore will be further arranging such trade caravans in future to strengthen economic and trade relations.