20000413

EPB chief to lead

Pak team to agri

fair in Baghdad

KARACHI: Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Chairman Tariq Ikram will lead a 10-member delegation to Iraq on April 22, to participate in Agricultural Implement Fair being held from April 27 to May 5, 2000 in Baghdad.

EPB Vice Chairman Syed Masood Alam Rizvi told PPI here on Wednesday that Pakistan was participating in the fair for the first time and hoped its exporters would get sufficient orders. The EPB was focusing on developing goodwill for Pakistani products which would encourage exports to Iraq after withdrawal of UN sanctions in future.

Rizvi said that Iraq wants to develop infrastructure in agriculture, oil field, engineering, etc., and Pakistan delegation comprising experts from these fields will have inter action with their counterparts in this regard in Baghdad.

Pakistan will display its agricultural equipment, water pump, engineering goods, oil pipeline, etc and explore means to boost exports.

He said Pakistan was focusing on developing more trade relations with Iraq which was unable to do free trade due to UN sanctions. However, if Pakistan successfully utilises resources to have good trade relations with Iraq it would have great opportunity when UN sanctions were lifted.

The EPB vice-chairman said Iraq would need skilled and unskilled manpower after lifting of sanctions to develop infrastructure facilities and restart its industries. Pakistan can also have advantage of trade relations with Iraq and provide them services in all required sectors and earn foreign exchange.ÑPPI