South Asia Trade Fair and Consumer Expo ends

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 20

The five-day South Asia Trade Fair and Consumer Expo, which was held from February 16 to 20 at the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall here, came to an end today.

While traders from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Iran and Thailand partcipated in the expo, from Pakistan alone, 10 to 15 traders put up their stalls.

The organizers took the initiative as a means to boost trade between India and many South Asian countries and also to increase exports from the subcontinent to the neighbouring countries. However, some old-timers said the sales this year saw a decline.

Abdul Rauf, a trader from Srinagar, who also put up a stall at the expo, said the sales saw a dip this time.

“Overall, the response was fair, but compared to last year, the sales saw a dip. It wasn’t as good as previous years.”

While Mughal shawls, marble figurines, antique furniture, Kasoori Juttis, cosmetics and a special cuisine segment for starved shoppers remained the highlights of the show, loom-woven fabrics and Kani embroidery as well as Pashmina items from Kashmir also charmed the crowds.

Among other items, traditional culinary delicacies and spices — heeng, herbal green jeera, itar and dry fruit from Egypt —attracted many visitors at the stalls.

While previously, initiatives have been held on a smaller scale, this was the state’s first South Asian trade initiative featuring several items from previously unfeatured Asian neighbours for the first time.