KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Siraj Kassam Teli, while warmly welcoming the response received from people belonging to different walks of life who enthusiastically participated in 12th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition, announced that the 13th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition will also be staged with same zeal from April 8th to April 10th, 2016.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Expo Center on Sunday, which was the last day of the mega exhibition, Siraj Kassam Teli pointed out that every year My Karachi keeps growing as compared to the previous events, thanks to the untiring efforts being made by KCCI Office Bearers, Chairman of Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition, Managing Committee members and all other BMGIANs who put best of their efforts to make this event memorable for everyone.
“12th My Karachi provided a vibrant platform where local and foreign traders displayed their products and services through 300 halls in all 6 halls of the Expo Center in front of more than 700,000 visitors”, he added.
Consul General of Indonesia, Hadi Santoso, Consul General of Switzerland, Roger Kull, Vice Chairmen BMG, Zubair Motiwala and Anjum Nisar, President KCCI, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, Senior Vice President KCCI Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi, Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi, Muhammad Idrees, Deputy Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi, Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Former President KCCI, A.Q. Khalil and KCCI Managing Committee members attended the press conference.
BMG Chairman, while pay glowing tribute to various Consulates in Karachi for their support to KCCI’s Exhibition, informed that this year 19 countries participated in 12th My Karachi exhibition and they are looking forward to more foreign participation in the next year’s exhibition which has become a nationwide and internationally acclaimed event.
Siraj Teli, while highlighting the theme of My Karachi Exhibition, said that the name ‘My Karachi’ signifies that everyone who lives in this city takes ownership while the theme “Oasis of Harmony” depicts the city of multi-cultural, ethnic, language and sectarian people living together in peace and harmony.
Commenting on overall security situation of Karachi city, Siraj Teli opined that the law and order situation has improved substantially as compared to the past but lot more still needs to be done to ensure long lasting peace and stability in Karachi which contributes more than 68 percent of revenue to the national exchequer. “Despite uncertain security situation, the business and industrial community of Karachi city continued to exhibit resilience and strives as hard as they can to make sure their businesses and industries keep running”, he added.
Recounting the efforts made by Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi, Muhammad Idrees, BMG Chairman said that it was due to his tireless efforts during the last five months which resulted in yet another unique addition of a dedicated Lawn Fabric Pavilion and a Fashion Show of international standard to My Karachi Exhibition.
He was fairly optimistic that Muhammad Idrees and his team would surely succeed in further improving this exhibition next year and make more such additions to this mega exhibition of the city.
Siraj Teli particularly acknowledged the support extended by provincial and federal governments, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Sindh Police, Rangers and Intelligence Agencies who made extraordinary arrangement and took stringent security steps to avoid any untoward incident during the event.
Vice Chairman BMG and Former President KCCI, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala said that My Karachi Exhibition has become a prominent event which is now being supported by the international and local business communities.
On the occasion, Zubair Motiwala particularly pointed out that import of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was likely to results in increased gas prices which would surely be an injustice to Sindh province which produces 70 percent of total gas production. He noted that Sindh province produces 2800mmcf gas, of which it only receives 1250mmcf. He said that gas supply to industrial units remains limited and no new gas connections were being provided as 350 applications for new gas connections for industries were lying pending. “If all these 350 gas connections for industrial units are provided, it would result in creating 150,000 employment opportunities”, he said, adding that law and order situation can only be effectively handled by creating employment opportunities and the government must look into this issue.
President KCCI, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, in his remarks, stated that all the exhibitors of 12th My Karachi Exhibition warmly welcomed various arrangements made at the exhibition and further requested to hold this exhibition twice a year so that Karachiites could fully benefit from this event.
Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi, Muhammad Idrees Memon paid glowing tribute to BMG Leadership, particularly to Siraj Teli and all other BMGIANs for their overwhelming support which resulted in breaching all previous records and making this event memorable for the citizens of Karachi city.
He said that for the very first time in the history of My Karachi Exhibition, a dedicated lawn fabric pavilion and a Fashion Show of International Standards was organized which was widely appreciated by the participants whereas Pet and Bird Show along with a spacious food court were also established for the entertainment of thousands of visiting families.