Pakistani firms to participate in ATF Expo.

KARACHI: As many as nine companies, under the umbrella of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), representing an array of trade sectors are participating in the Apparel, Textile, Footwear and Machinery Trade Exhibition (ATF) Expo, which is being held in Cape Town, South Africa from November 20 to 22, a statement said.
 
ATF is South Africa’s only sourcing show for the clothing, textiles and footwear industries. The main objective of the event is to offer manufacturers, suppliers and service providers in these industries a truly effective opportunity to reinforce business with South African buyers, establish new contacts in Africa and explore various other global trade opportunities, it said.
 
It is expected that ATF will attract over 3,300 trade professionals and more than 120 exhibitors from over 10 countries. Cape Town is the retail headquarter of these industries, it said.
 
ATF has been regularly organised for the last 12 years and attracts companies from various countries across the world, including competitors of Pakistan such as Bangladesh, China and India, the statement said.
 
In terms of participation by the exhibitors most of the exhibitors are foreign, whereas the buyers are mostly from South Africa and neighbouring African countries, it said, adding that South Africa has a limited number of buyers; however, due to their monopoly, they are involved in huge buying, which sometimes runs in billions.
 
Pakistani exports are on the rise in the Sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, etc.Concurrently, the High Commission of Pakistan will be holding a seminar in Cape Town on November 20 on doing business with Pakistan. All the leading chain stores, importers and businessmen will attend the seminar.
 
In the seminar, South African delegates, who recently attended Expo 2013 in Karachi will share their experiences of the expo, travel to Pakistan and business opportunities available in Pakistan.
 
Qamar Zaman, commercial secretary, will give a detailed briefing to the participants on the commercial vibrancy of Pakistan, its export products, investment opportunities, etc, it said.Export of Pakistan to South Africa has increased from $268 million to $280 million. The exports of Pakistan to Mozambique have grown to $100 million from $70 million over the last financial year.
 
Therefore, the TDAP is further converging efforts to gain bigger share. At the moment, the share of Pakistan in the overall South African imports of more than $103 billion is negligible. However, the Sub-Saharan African countries are increasingly becoming a potential market having tremendous opportunities for growth for the Pakistani exporters.

Source : thenews.com.pk