release funds,” he said.
Shah said he was informed that stalls of 19 foreign countries were established at the exhibition, but he wished that one day, 90 percent of all member countries of the United Nations come to Karachi and exhibit their products.
Highlighting the successful journey of My Karachi Exhibition, Businessmen Group Chairman and former president KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli recalled that during his tenure as KCCI president in 2004, he felt there was a need to clarify the negative perception about Karachi.
“Thus, I decided to organise an exhibition to portray the soft and positive image of Karachi city which is the financial and economic hub of Pakistan,” he said.
Karachi was still much better than many cities of the world in crime rate, Teli said. However, he wished Karachi to become a city of 1970s and 80s when one could roam freely without any fear of law and order.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive SM Muneer said he was head of the government body which was supposed to increase the exports of Pakistan. “Even, there is no water in my factory and I am the chief of exports, how can I increase my export target,” he asked. “I buy water stolen from my factory for Rs60,000 per day.”
Talking about the operation against criminal elements in the city, he said he was a pessimist three months ago, but now has become optimistic regarding the law and order situation.
KCCI former president Zubair Motiwala said that people from 19 countries had installed their stalls at the exhibition. He said Karachi was larger than 80 countries in the world. “We want to show international people to see what we are manufacturing here,” he said. “This is a vibrant city and we want business.”
Motiwala said if infrastructure, especially gas, electricity water supply, was developed, Pakistan’s exports could reach to $50 billion annually.
KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra welcomed the guests and said they received full support from the Sindh government, TDAP and law enforcement agencies. He said these exhibitions were playing a significant role for the betterment of the economy.
More than 300 stalls have been established by manufacturers and traders at the six halls of the Expo Centre.