karachi
Foreign delegates participating in the Expo Pakistan 2015 have shown interest in the Pakistani products and number of MoUs signed here on Friday.
The signing ceremony was attended by SM Muneer, Chief Executive and Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha, Secretary TDAP.
An MoU has been signed between a Moroccan company, M/s Materials Agricolas Automobiles & Industries and Balochistan Wheels Limited for the purchase of tractor wheel rims. The Moroccan Company has agreed to purchase tractor wheel rims worth $1.1 million from Balochistan Wheels in the next eighteen months. Hassane Berkani, member of Moroccan Parliament were also present.
More buying orders are likely to be placed before the end of the Expo. It may be mentioned that an eleven-member delegation of prominent businessmen from Morocco is attending the 9th edition of Expo Pakistan 2015 being held at Expo Centre Karachi. The businessmen working in different sectors held a number of meetings with the exporters.  Another MoU between Chinese and Pakistani Gems and Jewellery Association signed.
A strategic Cooperation Memorandum has been signed on Friday between Gems and Jewellery Trade Association of China (GAC) and All Pakistan Gem Merchants and Jewellers Association (APGPA). This step will enhance bilateral cooperation and will establish a win-win co-operation model. Pakistan has rich sources of precious gems and stones. Exchange of delegations, sharing of information and participation in trade fairs will open up avenues in ever expanding Chinese market. In addition to trade, there is a huge scope of promotion of allied industry like mining, finishing and jewelry making.
Yet another MoU by Saudi Company for purchase of tents and canvas cloth, a contract worth  $6 million was signed for export of tents and canvas cloth from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia between Abid Hassan Sabri of Al-Farooq Enterprises, of Pakistan and Abdullah Muhammad, Al-Ghamdi Trading Estate of Saudi Arabia. Ghamdi expressed his confidence in the Pakistani product and hopes to double the tent order in next year.
Meanwhile, officially staged by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), JETRO Pavilion at 9th Pakistan Expo 2015 received an overwhelming response from the local business communities, investors, importer and traders who witnessed a wide range of modern, high-quality Japanese products and machineries on show.
Including newly-introduced automobiles, electronics, industrial machinery, surgical instruments, home appliances, and retail items, etc., these made-in-Japan products outpaced the rest of the items displayed by other countries and regions here at the Pakistan Expo 2015, said a press release of JETRO.  Set up in the prominent Hall 4 of the Expo Center, JETRO Pavilion appeared to be the highly-visited exhibition area so far, showing unsurpassed reputations which Japanese companies have earned globally during last few decades.
Being held from February 26 to March 1 2015 at the Karachi Expo Centre, Pakistan Expo tends to be the country’s biggest trade fair.

Pak-US business moot on March 10

karachi
The Pak-US Business Opportunity Conference will take place on March 10-12, 2015 in Islamabad. US businesses representing agriculture, textiles/ apparel, footwear, energy, surgical instruments/ healthcare/ pharmaceutical, infrastructure and ICT will be attending the event.
Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Additional Secretary Commerce Ms. Robina Athar, Ambassador of United States to Pakistan Richard Olson and the President of the American Business Council (ABC) Arshad Saeed Husain briefed the members of the American Business Council and the media regarding the prospects of the Pak-US trade and Investment. In his speech the Minister for Commerce said that ‘promoting international trade and investment is the pivot around which Pakistan seeks to devise its economic development and poverty reduction strategies. This is the centerpiece of the current government’s vision and strategy to fight violent extremism through economic and political empowerment of the people of Pakistan.’
He further said that ‘Pakistan and the US share an important economic and strategic relationship. Government of Pakistan, therefore, places a high priority on bolstering economic engagement with the US. Both governments acknowledge the fact that closer economic ties and expanded trade and investment opportunities would lend greater strength and sustainability to this strategic relationship and help towards realisation of shared objectives including promotion of enduring stability in the region.’ In his welcome address the President of ABC Arshad Saeed Husain said that ‘The American Business Council of Pakistan is extremely pleased to partner with the Ministry of Commerce and the US Department of State for the 3rd edition of the upcoming Business Opportunities Conference’ ‘ABC members represent American investment in Pakistan and they are committed to making this conference a success by showcasing their success stories and sharing their experiences with potential trader partners and investors.’ added Husain. United States of America (USA) is the largest single country export destination for Pakistan’s trade. Every year, around 15-20pc of Pakistan’s total exports enter US market. During 2013, Pakistan’s total exports to USA were $3.687 billion, which is about 16pc of the total exports of Pakistan to the world. US also remains a very important source of FDI and major areas of investment by American investors include energy, agriculture, IT and infrastructure.