EXPO 2020 needs revision in projected cost: FPCCI

In light of the $30 million projected cost of participation in EXPO-2020, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Mazhar Nasir, recommended a revision in the cost of participation and stressed on the need to review the costs and benefits of participation at this event.

EXPO-2020 is a mega event that aims to hold a six month long exhibition in Dubai where more than 180 countries are expected to participate between October 2019 to April 2020. The event expects to attract about 25 million visitors in total, or about 60,000 individuals every day.

It is a grand event will help the participating countries benefit from a wide range of business opportunities that they would come across at the exhibition besides generating access to regional markets for them.

Mr. Nasir, after being informed by the representatives of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on the arrangements for Pakistan’s participation, stated that the cost of participation in this event is high enough for the country to participate in a large number of single country exhibitions.

It is regrettable that even though the idea of the EXPO was conceived way back in 2014, Pakistani exporters who are the main stakeholders and beneficiaries of this event, are still not aware of the marketing strategies prepared by the TDAP for attracting the exporters, he added. There is a need to increase awareness with regard to the concessions offered to these exporters, and the facilities that are being made available for them, he stressed.

Remaining firm to the idea that we might participate in this event, he said that it is possible that we may even spend more than $30 million, but if we choose to do so, we must ensure that we remain competitive in comparison to other participating countries.

Pakistan is expected to participate in the EXPO with the recently launched theme 'Emerging Pakistan', conceived by the Ministry of Commerce. The objective of participation is to project soft image of the country, showcase exportable products of Pakistan, portray the most advanced achievements in the field of logistics, education, human resource development and CPEC as a game changer.