20000311

Pakistan's participation

in Expo 2000 remains

a mysterious affair

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan's participation, even the extent of it in Expo 2000 Hannover, Germany is still shrouded in mystery although 'one of the grestest shows on earth' is merely 84 days away.

The job of managing Pakistan's participation in the Expo was allotted the the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. A committee was formed in the FPCCI under the Chairmanship of its President, last year to draw up modalities and select genuine parties who could project Pakistan's image in the right way.

Since then, several meetings have been held and parties short-listed but the criteria for selection and the amount collected from them as participation fee remain unknown. At one stage, sufficient funds were not forthcoming and the Export Promotion Bureau had to be approached for financial support. Since the EPB had no hand in the Expo from the very beginning, and FPCCI had taken full responsibility and pledged to make it a big show, the federation's request did not find favour.

How the financial obligations will be met, which are the parties selected to participate, and what amount has been collected from them remains a closely guarded secret.

In contrast to this non-transparent approach, other countries are taking full advantage of the opportunity provided by Expo 2000 and publicising their participation to their full advantage.

According to reports reaching here on June 1, 2000, the gates of the Expo will be opened for an estimated 40 million visitors from around the world. Nearly 200 countries will present themselves and their outstanding achievements in the field of humankind, nature and technology. Subjects include responsible ways of dealing with life, climate and natural resources, like soil and waste, and balancing of the development of human population. It will also be a forum to discuss the problems facing our future.

The Expo 2000 web side mentions Pakistan as: "Pakistan has confirmed its participation, there are as yet no concrete plans."

Besides, there has been one project nominated as an outstanding achievement under the name of "Amjad village," which seems to be a handicraft project.

With a covered area of 1.8 million square meters, this is the largest world exhibition to ever take place. Outstanding previous events were Seville/Spain (1992 Ñ 41.3 million visitors) and Montreal (1967 Ñ 50.9 million visitors). The investment volume is estimated at US$ 1.4 billion.

The challenge for Pakistan are the SAARC countries which are have been working for more than two years to create a positive image in the world. India has erected a 12 meter high steel structure. The message which India intends to bring over is "a peaceful country of harmony with excellent results in science and technology." Thirty Indian projects have been selected as guidelines to the world to solve basic problems, such as small family, child labour, health and unemployment.

Bhutan has built a Buddhist temple and presents an environment protection project. Nepal's Pagoda temple will be another attraction in the Expo 2000. Besides this, seven outstanding projects in the field of environment protection and alternative energy will create a positive image and promote tourism. Bangladesh will join Pakistan in the exhibitions halls and will demonstrate in seven projects, the serious efforts to use alternative energy and to protect the environment.

Pakistan's South Asian neighbours, have with the massive support of their governments set standards, which the private sector in Pakistan has to match. There are good reasons that Pakistan's performance should be better. This, however, seems difficult because Pakistan could not even present suitable projects for the solution of the most urgent needs of mankind. A failed or weak participation will have serious impact on tourism, foreign investment and on export business.

It would be in the fitness of things if the Ministry of Commerce asked for a complete brief on the arrangements made to date and future plans of FPCCI's committee looking after Pakistan's participation in Expo 2000, because Pakistan's good name is at stake. This is an opportunity to introduce Pakistani products to world buyers to boost country's exports. Display of sub-standard goods could bring immense harm to our exports, say those connected with exhibitions.