PHD-ITEX Generated Business worth Rs.100 crore

The PHD Chamber organized International Trade Expo-2007 (ITEX-2007), held at Chandigarh has generated business worth Rs.100 crore, trade enquiries to the tune of Rs.500 crore and recorded a footfall of more than one lakh.

The 5-day long second edition of the ITEX - first held at Amristar in 2005 – has received overwhelming response from countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Kenya, Thailand and Malaysia. There were 110 exhibitors drawn from India and five other countries including 30 stalls from Pakistan and Pakistani Food court.. The objective of the ITEX this year was to focus on India -Pakistan bilateral trade and to open up new vistas for co-operation.

“At ITEX-2007 an array of products that are relevant to businesses and people of India and Pakistan were displayed, which they can buy from each others’ country with considerable cost advantage. Also, the time taken for transacting deals across the border, particularly through Attari is much less than either India or Pakistan sourcing products through third countries,” says Mr Sanjay Bhatia, President, PHD Chamber. Expo was held in association with Chandigarh Administration and Punjab Government as the Partner State.

The objective of the PHD-ITEX was to connect Northern part of the country with the rest of the world by sensitizing them with latest products and technologies available globally that can broaden the investment and trade vistas of the region. “Basic to enhancing economic co-operation between the bordering States, is pubic awareness about what they can offer to each other,” says Mr Sanjay Bhatia, President PHD Chamber.

There is a pent up demand for buying goods like clothing, fabrics, showpieces, cutlery, food items from each other’s country. Technology co-operation, joint ventures in a host of areas and trading in core goods like cement, cotton etc are other areas where there is a huge potential. ITEX 2007, focused on this potential, among other things, to take the bilateral relations to a higher level. “Our focus is to shore up the trade through the official route since there is a probability of adulteration for products flowing from the clandestine routes,” says Mr Bhatia.

Exhibition was attended by several Indian and international dignitaries such as Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab. Gen S.F.Rodrigues, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, Chandigarh and Mr. Fazal Abbas Maken, Minister, Trade, Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi. Strong business delegation from Lahore Chamber, Islamabad Chamber and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) were also present at the ITEX.

Importantly, to coincide with the ITEX, there were cultural and social events organized including Punjab Day, Haryana Day and Pakistan Day celebrations. A Seminar on “Moving Ahead With Mak Lubricants” was conducted by BPCL and another on “Integrated Development of Small & Medium Enterprises” by NSIC.

Considering the success of the event, ITEX has now been made an annual event.