Pakistan pavilion attracts substantial footfall, but slowdown impacts purchases
Updated: Nov 21, 2013 03:25:28pm
New Delhi, Nov 21 (KNN) Even after a week after the India International Trade Fair 2013 (IITF) started, there have been huge crowds of Indian fans hankering for Pakistani garments and merchandise at their pavilion. The small entrepreneurs from Pakistan, mainly from the textile sector were happy with their profitable sales.
“Most of our collections were sold out in the first week itself. There are still thousands of Indian ladies visiting every day, eager to buy our garments and fabric,” said a Pakistani trader.
“We are very happy with our sales. Since India has huge fan following for Pakistani clothes, the trade relations between India and Pakistan will always remain good and improve further,” said another trader who has been participating in the IITF almost every year.
More than 80 stalls have been put up by businessmen from Pakistan alone, mainly from Karachi and Lahore. Apart from the garment stalls, they have jewellery, crockeries, spices, ceramic work, shoes and handicrafts.
"Even before the stalls could be properly set up, right from the day one, Indian ladies have been flocking to the Pakistan pavilion, waiting impatiently for the doors to open," President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Zubair Ahmed Malik told KNN.
On the other hand, shoppers were delighted with the products on offer. “There is quite a variety and the designs are unique, quite different from what is available here. I normally make it a point to visit the Pakistani stall each year. But, I find that the prices have increased considerable this year, so I couldn’t buy as much as I usually do,” said shopper Tara Lillian, a college student.
The economic slowdown and high inflation seems to have restricted purchasing power of the common man.
“I usually buy in bulk from the Pakistani pavilion. Because of the slowdown, this time the prices of garment, leather, jewellery, handicraft have all gone up. The starting range for garments was Rs 2500 and for artificial jewellery it was Rs 4000-5000, so I couldn’t buy much,” said homemaker Shalini who came all the way from Gurgaon to buy Pakistani stuff.
Other than Pakistani clothes and shawls which attracted large numbers, Pakistani spices, food and ready to eat food packets had their share of enthusiasts.
“I run a small canteen in Noida where lots of people come to eat Kebabs and Biryanis because we have a Pakistani flavour in our dishes. I usually buy the Pakistani spices in bulk from this fair as I get a good deal here,” said Rajesh who runs a small canteen in Noida.
The Pakistani businessmen are happy with their sale this time and expect the trade to be higher than the previous year. They are also hopeful that such fairs will help both India and Pakistan build better ties and increase trade.
The bilateral trade between the countries stood at USD2.60 billion in 2012-13. (KNN/SD)
“Most of our collections were sold out in the first week itself. There are still thousands of Indian ladies visiting every day, eager to buy our garments and fabric,” said a Pakistani trader.
“We are very happy with our sales. Since India has huge fan following for Pakistani clothes, the trade relations between India and Pakistan will always remain good and improve further,” said another trader who has been participating in the IITF almost every year.
More than 80 stalls have been put up by businessmen from Pakistan alone, mainly from Karachi and Lahore. Apart from the garment stalls, they have jewellery, crockeries, spices, ceramic work, shoes and handicrafts.
"Even before the stalls could be properly set up, right from the day one, Indian ladies have been flocking to the Pakistan pavilion, waiting impatiently for the doors to open," President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Zubair Ahmed Malik told KNN.
On the other hand, shoppers were delighted with the products on offer. “There is quite a variety and the designs are unique, quite different from what is available here. I normally make it a point to visit the Pakistani stall each year. But, I find that the prices have increased considerable this year, so I couldn’t buy as much as I usually do,” said shopper Tara Lillian, a college student.
The economic slowdown and high inflation seems to have restricted purchasing power of the common man.
“I usually buy in bulk from the Pakistani pavilion. Because of the slowdown, this time the prices of garment, leather, jewellery, handicraft have all gone up. The starting range for garments was Rs 2500 and for artificial jewellery it was Rs 4000-5000, so I couldn’t buy much,” said homemaker Shalini who came all the way from Gurgaon to buy Pakistani stuff.
Other than Pakistani clothes and shawls which attracted large numbers, Pakistani spices, food and ready to eat food packets had their share of enthusiasts.
“I run a small canteen in Noida where lots of people come to eat Kebabs and Biryanis because we have a Pakistani flavour in our dishes. I usually buy the Pakistani spices in bulk from this fair as I get a good deal here,” said Rajesh who runs a small canteen in Noida.
The Pakistani businessmen are happy with their sale this time and expect the trade to be higher than the previous year. They are also hopeful that such fairs will help both India and Pakistan build better ties and increase trade.
The bilateral trade between the countries stood at USD2.60 billion in 2012-13. (KNN/SD)
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