4th Made in Pakistan exhibition begins at ICCB

The exhibition will remain open to visitors and businesspeople from 11am to 10PM daily until 26 September.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammad Hasan Arif inaugurated the exhibition.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry (PAEI) Chairman Fahad Barlas and its founding chairman M Khursid Barlas were present at the inauguration.

In his welcome speech, Fahad Barlas said more than 100 companies are participating in this year’s exhibition, showcasing products from sectors including garments, food and accessories.

“More than 250 business delegates have come to Bangladesh for the exhibition,” he said, adding that Pakistan sees Bangladesh as a major market for its products.

He said Bangladesh’s economy had made significant progress over the past two decades and expressed hope that the exhibition would continue to expand in the coming years.

Fahad also invited Bangladeshi businesses to organise exhibitions in Pakistan.

PAEI founding chairman M Khursid Barlas said the exhibition had expanded in scope since its first edition.

“This is our fourth exhibition and our presence is growing every year. This year, 250 business delegates have come to Bangladesh,” he said.

He said Pakistan would like to see a ‘Made in Bangladesh’ expo organised in Pakistan and proposed joint exhibitions by businesses from the two countries in a third country.

Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider said there was significant potential to increase bilateral trade, investment and joint ventures between Bangladesh and Pakistan in sectors including textiles, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, information and communication technology, agriculture and food processing.

He said the high commission would work closely with the EPB to diversify trade, strengthen business-to-business connections and remove practical barriers to trade.

EPB Vice Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif said there was a significant imbalance in bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

“Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh are around 10 times higher than Bangladesh’s exports to Pakistan,” he said.

He said Biman Bangladesh Airlines had started operating direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi following a longstanding demand from businesses in the two countries, which would help strengthen connectivity and boost trade.

Hasan Arif also invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to set up a large pavilion at the Dhaka International Trade Fair scheduled for January.

A wide range of products, including readymade garments, cosmetics, sports goods, jewellery, food and beverages, leather goods and perfumes, are being displayed at the exhibition.

The participating companies are showcasing Pakistani products while seeking to build long-term partnerships with Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.