KARACHI: Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) and Towel Manufacturers' Association of Pakistan (TMAP) in a press release issued here have said, "We, the representatives of the Exporting Community, are dismayed at the Government's decision to invest Rs 8 billion (that is likely to escalate over the stated project completion period of three years) for the expansion of Expo Centre, Karachi.

The Expo Centre was conceived to promote exports. However, its 18 year old usage history shows it has been used more to promote imports.

The only Export related activities at the Centre have been the Ministry of Defence-led IDEAS, and EXPO Pakistan. "We cannot say how much IDEAS has contributed to export growth as their numbers are not captured by the Bureau of Statistics. But about EXPOs we are certain. It has been a great joy-ride for the participants that TDAP snares by offering them an all expense-paid visit, where they are also entertained to rich music and fine dining. Unfortunately, all this expense (paid out of the export development surcharge levied on the exporters?) has been a waste, as evidenced by our export figures. Besides, wouldn't serious buyers like to come at their own expense? An 'introductory offer' for the first year or two could have been attributed to a marketing effort, but our repeating this year after year raises serious questions about the efficacy of this extravaganza."

"We would like to recall here that for the last several years TDAP is holding EXPO inviting participants from abroad offering them all expense i.e Travelling, Boarding etc. Can TDAP justify these expenses that how much country's export has increased by holding Expo on regular basis."

Ministry of Commerce and TDAP should realize that their prime responsibility is to promote country's export rather to encourage imports on which precious foreign exchange is being spent.

No doubt, Secretary Commerce Muhammad Younus Dagha is an energetic person and having expertise of handling issues tactfully of business community and we really appreciate his acumen in the field of Trade and Industry.

In our humble opinion Secretary Commerce and their team should concentrate all his efforts on increasing country exports to overcome the Trade Deficit of the country which will ultimately increase foreign exchange of the country which is the need of the hour.

"If the past (delayed payment of refunds) cannot be repaired can't we do something for the future? Let us stop taxing exports for starters. Let us withdraw the Export Development Surcharge. If the Government is serious about Exports it will earn greater dividends by abolishing this levy than adding a tower or two to the so called Expo Centre."—PR