Week-long Indo-Pak trade fair begins at Ludhiana

Ludhiana, June 11 (ANI): Manufacturers and traders from India and Pakistan are displaying their wide range of products and services at the ongoing India International Trade Fair-2009 in Ludhiana.

The trade fair organised by the India International Trade Event Organisation will culminate on June 14.

Around 36 stalls have been set up by members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

This event is aimed at improving trade ties between the two countries.

According to a senior functionary of the FPCCI, the Pakistan stalls are showcasing some exclusive items for the visitors and prospective buyers.

"We have brought some exclusive items here for the first time. Before this also, we participated in Amritsar and Chandigarh with cooperation from the PHD Chamber. We also participated in the India International Trade Fair in Delhi. Our exclusive items are textiles, cotton fabrics, ladies garments, Onyx and marbles, particularly Onyx marble as it is not available in India. It is a purely Pakistani product," said Mazarullaq Mufti, a representative, FPCCI.

According to the organisers, the fair has been organised for the first time in Ludhiana and the response has been overwhelming.

"In this way, we are able to have very good relationship with Pakistan because without the cordial relationship with each other, it is not easy to bring so many stalls. It's a good fortune that they have participated in our fair with such a large scale. We are very sure as for the next time, we will be able to bring double the stalls not only from Pakistan but from the other nearby areas of India also," said Amita Roy, Director, India International Trade Event Organisation.

The success of this trade fair will lend a fillip to the trade relations between India and Pakistan, particularly in the context of a recent study that had indicated a downward trend.

According to a survey by the FICCI, cross-border trade between India and Pakistan is likely to witness a sixty per cent decline in fiscal 2009-10 as a result of deteriorating Indo-Pak relations after the Mumbai terror attacks.

In such a scenario, many Indian exporters and importers had taken advantage of third-country channels such as Dubai and Singapore, to service the Pakistani market. (ANI)