It is a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction that Ministry of Commerce / Export Promotion Bureau, are organising the first ever mega event of Expo Pakistan 2005. It is also satisfying that Expo Pakistan 2005 is taking place in a quota free textile regime. Expo Pakistan 2005 marks the beginning of an aggressive marketing campaign, aimed at promoting the vast range of Pakistani products and services in the international export markets, and showing an investment friendly environment in Pakistan to foreign investors.

It will further help promote Pakistan's traditional hospitality and rich cultural heritage.

Pakistan has achieved its export targets during 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 and is set to achieve the export target of US $13.7 billion during 2004-05. These successes have been possible due to the able leadership and guidance of the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, which has ensured consistency in our economic policies. The public-private efforts in positive direction have now started bearing fruit.

I am glad, that Pakistani producers and exporters are taking a keen interest in Expo Pakistan 2005, I am sure they will come up with a splendid exhibition of their products and services to make this first ever mega event a success.

I take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to our foreign guests and international buyers who have accepted our invitation and are visiting Expo Pakistan 2005. I am hopeful that Expo will provide them an opportunity to get acquainted with a variety of quality products and services which Pakistan is producing. I wish Expo Pakistan every success.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005