Despite the ongoing political crisis and flash floods in Punjab, the government has facilitated 150 exhibitors to showcase their products in New Delhi to access India’s gargantuan middle-class market.
The four-day exhibition named ‘Aalishan Pakistan’, starting from today (Thursday), would allow exhibitors to showcase their products in 320 stalls ranging from garments to textiles, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir told a news conference in Islamabad yesterday.
An art exhibition for young artists, a fashion show, business-to-business meeting of Pakistani exporters with Indian firms, and a business seminar will also be held at the sidelines of the event.
A high-profile delegation of leading businessmen will also attend Aalishan Pakistan, he added.
The government was under pressure from certain quarters to cancel the exhibition, especially after India called off foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan, the minister said.
“However, the government values trade diplomacy to expand exports.”
The first Pakistan lifestyle exhibition in India was held in 2012.
This second exhibition, the minister said, was not only bigger in number of exhibitors, but also in terms of stalls.