PITEX concludes sans Pak participation

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 11

Famous Pakistani non-vegetarian dishes, articles and fashion line were not a part of the five-day 12th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) concluded here today. However, it couldn’t keep trade investment queries at bay.

Officials said Pakistani traders were deliberately discouraged by the Indian authorities apparently due to the ongoing border tension. Last year too, the neighbouring country remained largely absent from the trade show, but demonetisation was cited as the prominent reason. As many as 54 exhibitors of Rawalpindi Chambers had applied for the trade then.

As a part of the PHD Chamber’s endeavour to boost the regional business activities across the border, the annual fair is organised in collaboration with the Punjab government, the host state.

Except for last two years, Pakistan has been a regular participant along with exhibitors from countries like Afghanistan, Thailand, Afghanistan, Turkey, Thailand, Egypt and Czech Republic.

Despite the cold political vibes between the two countries, the Pakistani stalls have always been abuzz with visitors, be it their ladies’ suits, fabrics and onyx stone items.

This time, as many as 335 Pakistani visitors had applied for visa, which included 92 exhibitors and 140 members of Lahore, Islamabad and Sargodha Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

RS Sachdeva, chairman, PHD Chamber (Punjab committee), said though the Ministry of Home had issued the no objection certification for obtaining requisite conference visa, the Ministry of External Affairs rejected the proposal stating it didn’t recommend participation from Pakistan in the proposed event.

“After getting clearance from the home ministry, we conveyed Pakistani traders to deposit their passports and they did accordingly. It was an embarrassing for us when External Affairs Ministry refused to oblige them.

PITEX is a platform where bi-lateral business prospects prosper between the traders of India and other SAARC countries and Pakistan is a very potential market for India.

Nonetheless, the main attraction this time was the array of articles put up by Indian Air Force with a view to invite local manufacturers to indigenise the requisite tools, testers, charging devices and ground equipment, rather than to import them from other countries. Also, the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) and National Jute Board, PEDA, PUNSUP, Punjab Infotech, Milkfed, Markfed also made their presence felt.

This time, business transactions worth Rs 2,258 crore were executed, with 35 MoUs worth Rs 2,268 crore being signed to generate 13,370 jobs in the state.

In 2016, business inquiries worth Rs 319 crore were generated which invited traders keen on investing in agriculture, packaging and constructions.