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Magic 2000 fair: EPB clarification

KARACHI: The Export Promotion Bureau on Thursday issued the following press release: "A news item has appeared in a section of the press with reference to a statement issued by Mohammad Nisar Shaikhani, Acting Chairman of SITE Association of Industry, criticizing Pakistan's participation in Magic '2000, USA. Export Promotion Bureau would like to explain the position as follows:

"In March 1999, EPB had organised participation in Las Vegas Convention Centre (LVCC) to display casual wear. In August 1999, participation in the fair could not be organised because of of lack of interest shown by the exporters. For the Magic'2000 (14-17 Feb., 2000), space at Convention Centre could not be procured because in the judgement of organisers, Pakistan had failed to regularly participate in the fair. However, in consultation with and with the prior approval of Pakistan Readymade Garments & Exporters Association, Pakistan Tanners Association and Pakistan Knitwear & Sweaters Exporters Association, EPB succeeded in acquiring space in the Sands Expo Centre. The venue suited Pakistan's range of exports to the USA. Pakistan's participation this time has been rated successful by our Commercial Counsellor on the basis of his on-the-spot monitoring and facilitation. Our exhibitors have reported back having received orders and serious enquiries during the show.

"Twenty exhibitors from Pakistan participated in the show. The exhibitors had reached USA in time. The samples of textiles were not cleared by US Customs for want of valid visas. The exhibitors did not carry visas for their samples. The Commercial Counsellor informed EPB about the situation arising out of this problem. Simultaneously, he arranged release of these samples through submission of personal guarantee and obtaining visa-waiver pending submission of regular visas which EPB had to process in emergency. Had individual exporters carried visas for their goods, this situation could have been avoided. It is, however, pertinent to mention here that out of 10 textile exhibitors, eight had hand-carried additional samples and they managed to display their hand-carried samples before the inauguration of the show. Delay in display of textile samples occurred in the case of only two exhibitors out of 20, who failed to carry their visas and who had not hand-carried additional samples with them. In the case of these two exhibitors, Commercial Counsellor succeeded in putting up display of their samples by the afternoon of the inauguration day".

"EPB had nominated a Director Pavilion for the exhibition. Due to delayed processing by the US Embassy at Islamabad, he could not get visa in time and, therefore, could not proceed. However, our Commercial Counsellor and his staff at Los Angeles were available all the time to help the exhibitors in managing the fair. No exhibitor reported any cause of complaint against the Commercial Counsellor or his staff".