KARACHI: President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh has said that preparations were in full swing to stage 19th My Karachi Oasis of Harmony International Exhibition at Karachi Expo Center in a grand manner.
The three-day long exhibition which will spread over all six halls of the Expo Center in addition to providing various recreational facilities in the outer area will be start off from August 2 and conclude on Aug 4, 2024, he added while speaking at the first meeting of Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition which was presided over by its Chairman Muhammad Idrees.
Senior Vice President KCCI Altaf A. Ghaffar, Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Barry, Co-Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition Ismail Suriya, Former Presidents Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, Muffasar Atta Malik and Shamim Ahmed Firpo along with KCCI Managing Committee and Members of KCCI Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition were also present at the meeting.
President KCCI, while appreciating all the efforts being made by Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition and his team, stressed that as My Karachi was one of the most important events of Karachi Chamber, hence, all Managing Committee Members and BMGIANs must enthusiastically participate in the activities in order to stage this gigantic event in a splendid manner.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition Muhammad Idrees, while highlighting the journey of My Karachi Exhibition, stated that Leader of the Business Community Late Siraj Kassam Teli planted My Karachi Exhibition in 2004 with a prime objective to project the true and soft image of Karachi in particular and Pakistan in general. The exhibition has grown significantly during all these years thanks to all the hard work done by office bearers from time to time, former Presidents, regular participants and the entire My Karachi Team along with Sindh government which also becomes part of this event as co-host.
He was of the opinion that under the prevailing circumstances of economic crises wherein the businesses were facing a lot of problems, strenuous and extraordinary efforts will have to be made to make My Karachi exhibition successful. “We all will have to make collective efforts and go an extra mile to stage an impressive and memorable exhibition this year”, he said, adding that although the exhibition was scheduled to be organized in the month of February this year but it was rescheduled to August due to general elections.
He said that KCCI’s My Karachi Exhibition has always been devised in such a manner that the exhibition becomes self-sustainable and is able to bear all the expenditures on its own without exerting any burden on Chamber’s kitty. “In addition to having traditional stalls and other features including kids area, live cooking Show, fireworks, live musical concert, pet show, cultural show and special continental cuisine, we have decided to further diversify this year’s exhibition by looking into the possibility of seeking participation from the Alternate Energy and the IT Sectors, particularly those engaged in Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, he informed, adding that this year, fruits and vegetable exhibitors will also be participating and KCCI plans to hold a mango festival as well. A large number of local and multinational companies in Pakistan have been approached and efforts were also underway for participation of foreign delegations in this mega event.
Despite the ongoing challenging situation triggered by the skyrocketing inflation which has terribly eroded the purchasing power of common man, Muhammad Idrees was fairly optimistic that My Karachi will be able to attract maximum participation not only by the exhibitors but also by the public as it was the only exhibition which displays a wide range of products and services being offered to buyers at discounted factory rates. “This year’s exhibition will give a perfect platform for business-to-business, Business-to-consumer meetings, besides providing recreational facilities to Karachiites who densely participate in this glittering event every year”, he added.