Hoping to get a whopping response, the five-day Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) is set to kick off on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference, Amritsar deputy commissioner Ravi Bhagat said, “This is the ninth edition of the PITEX, while Amritsar will be hosting it for the sixth time. Last year, we had nearly 2.5 lakh visitors to the show, while we expect much more this time.”
Exhibitors from Egypt, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Myanmar will be participating in the expo this year.
“As we grow, there are plans to invite exhibitors from all Saarc nations, which will not only give a boost to the event but also help strengthening relations with the Saarc nations,” the DC added.
The DC said, “With the main thrust of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on boosting Indo-Pak bilateral trade manifold, and the efforts are on see all 7,500 items are allowed to be traded through the Attari route, Amritsar will gain the most. The city will grow as a ‘service hub’ as the increased trade would need supporting warehousing facilities, cold chain facilities and host of other services.”
“In addition, the increased economic activity would lead to the development of warehousing infrastructure, cold chain facilities, increase in transportation demands, besides culminating into a chain reaction effect leading to generation of employment, especially in the services sector.”
RS Sachdeva, co-chairman, Punjab Committee PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who was also present on the occasion, said: “Delegations from six chambers of Pakistan are participating in the trade expo. As many as 40 exhibitors are also participating apart from the delegations. The participating chambers are —Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikhupura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jhelum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”
“In addition, the increased economic activity would lead to the development of warehousing infrastructure, cold chain facilities, increase in transportation demands, besides culminating into a chain reaction effect leading to generation of employment, especially in the services sector.”
RS Sachdeva, co-chairman, Punjab Committee PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who was also present on the occasion, said: “Delegations from six chambers of Pakistan are participating in the trade expo. As many as 40 exhibitors are also participating apart from the delegations. The participating chambers are —Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikhupura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jhelum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”
PHD Chamber, he said, shall host a Round Table Conference of the visiting chambers of Commerce and Industry from Pakistan and the representatives of Industry Associations and Chambers of the region on the second day of the expo.” Sachdeva also claimed that efforts were on to organise an ‘India Show’ in Islamabad next year.
Sharing the details of the mega event, Dalip Sharma, regional director, PHD Chamber, said, “More than 400 exhibitors are participating in the trade expo, who are categorised into 11 dedicated pavilions namely Indo expo, travel, tourism and handicrafts, Punjab auto expo, kitchen expo, consum expo, home expo, etc.