Trade fair ends with Rs 80 cr possibilities

Indo-Pak International Expo (IPEX) 2005 concluded here today, with business enquiries of Rs 80 crore generated during the four days. Besides, four memorandums of understanding were signed for joint ventures between Pakistani and Indian companies, worth Rs 8.5 crore.

During the four days, more than 165,000 visitors came to the fair. Jupiter Aqua Lines Industries picked up the best display award in the indoor category, followed by Gujarat Fertilisers Ltd, Gujarat.

Dashmesh Mechanical works has been awarded for the best display in the outdoor category. The president of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mohammed Sayeed, said IPEX should be organised in India and Pakistan in alternate years.

He said the objectives would be achieved further after the South Asian Free Trade Agreement rules are implemented from next year.

"The entry fee collection would be approximately Rs 4 lakh, which as per the commitment of the PHDCCI, would be sent to the earthquake relief fund in Pakistan and India, with three-fourths going to Pakistan and one-fourth to India," according to spokesperson of the PHDCCI.

Apart from the visitors from outside and Amritsar, the business-to-business (B2B) component in the fair has got good response from business people of both the countries.

A deal has been signed between Dashmesh Mechanical Works, Malerkotla and the FSL Group of Industries, Islamabad, and another between the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Guru Nanak Dev University for research and exchange of university programmes.

Besides that, about 90 one-to-one meetings were held, a majority of which covered sectors like garments, electronics, automobiles, mink blankets, rubber components, food, etc.