Al-Qalam 
Pakistani manufacturers believe a new stable Government will help boost the country’s export potential. Al-Qalam journalist Ismail Suder attended a trade expo in Lahore.
If the international trade show held in Lahore recently is anything to go by, then Pakistan’s manufacturing giants are ready to export commodities to the world, especially to Africa.
But in order for that dream to happen quickly, they are hoping that the country’s new leaders – whoever they may be – would bring political and economic stability to its 245 million people.
They are also hoping that a political solution – possibly run by a coalition government – will help build confidence and open up a big window to the world in terms of economic growth that would be much higher than the 4% achieved last year.
When Al-Qalam newspaper attended the 3rd Engineering & Healthcare Expo held recently at the Expo Centre Lahore, the vast array of Pakistani manufactured commodities on display was mind-boggling. Over 300 Pakistani companies from different sectors showcased their products, ranging from pharmaceuticals, surgical, chemicals, agricultural machinery and implements, safety equipment, construction material, home appliances, textile, furniture, cosmetics, handicrafts, sports goods, cutlery and cookware, packaging, automotive, electric machinery, minerals, marbles, mobiles, and musical instruments.
“We have it all in Pakistan, and given the opportunity, we can supply commodities not only cheaper but of a higher quality than the competitors, said a medicine manufacturer, a retired colonel.
Lahore, which sits 24km from the Indian border, is a bustling city of some 13 million inhabitants.
Pakistan is keen to boost bilateral trade between South Africa and other African countries to export high-quality commodities at a far cheaper rate than its competitors.
Pakistan hosted dozens of delegates from over 60 countries with huge contingents coming from Africa, including South Africa, Djibouti, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the message was clear: “Pakistan was ready to boost business with the whole of Africa” – to provide tried and tested products that were cheaper and more affordable. Currently, Pakistan exports a range of goods amounting to 30 billion dollars per year, but it has robust plans to double that figure in a few years.
The TDAP believes that is only a matter of time before consumers see “made in Pakistan” products more frequently in the future.
Executives of the Development Authority of Pakistan said high-level meetings have already been held with South African government authorities to open up the market to Pakistani goods.
On a walkabout of the vast exhibition halls, manufacturers had thousands of their products on display. One item that caught the eye was a fully-fledged three-wheeler ambulance that featured an ear-blasting siren. Built on a tuk-tuk platform, the mini ambulance was ideally suited for just one patient. It was equipped with basic life-saving equipment and marketed for around R109,000.
Tried and tested in the remote villages of Pakistan, the mini ambulance could traverse any narrow road – even a footpath – to reach a sick or injured person.
When it comes to countries with lower GDPs, Pakistan says it can meet the demands of poorer communities far more effectively than any other supplier country.
“We are better in quality and cheaper than China. We are open to joining ventures synergies that would be of mutual interest, said Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Chief Executive Officer of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)
Large groups of African delegates were taken on tours to visit hi-tech factories in the industrial nodes of Lahore, leaving many impressed.
Addressing international guests at the Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore, Motiwala said Pakistan is a developing country, and we are enthusiastic, we are energetic, and we supply 60 per cent of the world’s textile market. Pakistan is a leader in aquaculture, and we are the number one producer of surgical equipment in the city of Sialkot; we are noted for our sports goods, we are blessed with mineral wealth, and we are producers of agricultural equipment, we export thousands of two-wheelers to the African market – but there is potential to expand – we are ready for the world, we are ready for Africa,” Motiwala added.
Meanwhile, Naeem Manzoor, an economist with the Trade & Development Authority of Pakistan, was upbeat. He told Al-Qalam that with a stable Government, Pakistan could become an economic powerhouse dominating world markets in the future. He added that for the first time in years, there was hope a new government would be able to chart a new future for all.
