20000323

Very high entry

fee keeping Pak

traders away from

Hannover fair

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Incredibly high participation fee, Rs. 40 million, has kept Pakistani exhibitors away from one of "greatest shows on earth," Expo 2000, being held in Hannover, Germany, from June 1 to October 31, 2000.

Mahmood Ahmed, Vice-President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), who is incharge of the arrangements, told newsmen here on Wednesday afternoon that in all 30 applications had been received from companies showing interest in participation in Expo 2000. FPCCI's selection committee after interviewing the applicants shortlisted the companies, and finally selected seven. The selection criterion was laid down as under 20 percent marks to manufacturers, 20 percent marks to exporters, 20 percent marks to experience in expos and fairs and exhibitions, 20 percent marks to FPCCI export trophy holders, and 20 percent marks on credibility.

Since the participation fee was considered too high, so far only three companies, Clevedon Enterprises and Windsor & Company (Pvt) Ltd, both in handicrafts, and Kings Group in textile and textile products have paid 50 percent of the total amount of Rs.10 million which each one has to pay.

Although the Expo 2000 is just two and a half months away, search is on for one more participants to meet the fee target. Since the Export Promotion Bureau has expressed its inability to provide financial backing because it is an exclusive FPCCI arrangement, how best remaining funds would be arranged, would be watched with interest by the members of the business community. The brief reports on Pakistan's participation circulated among the newsmen are the same which were available about eight months ago and no new information has been added to show what has been achieved by FPCCI.

FPCCI was allocated Pakistan's participation on a very large scale in Expo 2000. It had planned to exploit this event to the maximum extent to expose Pakistan's trade and manufacturing potential, besides display of Pakistan's heritage, culture, tourism and sports, etc. but due to financial constraints it has definitely lagged far behind in preparations as compared to other countries, particularly its Saarc partners.