Pak stalls a runaway hit at New Delhi fair
New Delhi: Pakistani stalls are a runaway hit at South Asia’s biggest trade fair currently underway in New Delhi.
Pakistani stalls are doing a booming business with a range of wares - textiles, gift items, wooden furniture, machinery and garments. A group of 32 Pakistani traders have put up stalls at the consumer goods pavilion of the fortnight-long annual India International Trade Fair (IITF), 2003.
With the thaw in relations between the nuclear-arch rivals since the prime minister’s April peace bid, Pakistani traders are upbeat about their New Delhi visit.
Syed, a stall owner, aid lack of direct link between the neighbours proved a deterrent to many more prospective exhibitors from Pakistan.
“The main difference that the peace initiative will make is that it will bring down the travel cost. **Now, we have to come to India via Dubai, which costs us 32,000 rupees. But with air-links between India and Pakistan, the cost will be one-third of the present,” he said. **
Trade between the two countries, which was a fraction of their imports and exports, came to a grinding halt as tensions soared in the wake of the December 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament.
Business circles, however, estimate unofficial trade via third countries like Dubai far exceeds official trade volumes.
Economists say both countries could gain enormously if trade flourished as Pakistan with power surplus could meet India’s electricity shortfall and India could export cheaper foodgrains, tea and other items to Pakistan. But a nearly six decade long dispute between the neighbours over Kashmir has created rivalry which has often harmed mutual interests and created deep rift between the people otherwise sharing common culture, language and customs.
Indian customers at the trade fair said they yearn to grab Pakistani products.
**“The Pakistani bangles are very cute and I come here and buy stuff from that. Anybody who comes here buys bangles,” said Tejinder, a customer. **
Of the nearly two dozen countries represented at the fair, the Pakistani delegation is taking part for the first time in the consumer goods pavilion where exhibitors are allowed to sell their products.
Pakistani traders feel that India has a huge business potential for Pakistani goods.
“First of all the customs duty should be waived or lessened. There are 1.2 billion people here in India. Even if one person buys a thing worth one dollar, it will come to $1.2 billion. It can be a good market, definitely, yes,” said Waqar Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani trader.
Sale and launch of new products ranging from heavy machinery to consumer electronics are expected to **draw nearly two million visitors to the fair, which closes on November 27. **
-ANI