By Ghulam Murtaza
The world is opening up after the inertia of Covid-19, which had put it in hibernation for two years. Following winter, flowers and leaves are booming again to restore the bustling activity of the cities.
Similarly, Lahore is no different. Mughals exalted the city by introducing several attractions for tourists. Flag down ceremony at the Wagah border is a unique and iconic activity one should never miss if visiting this city. The grandeur of the Walled City with 12 majestic gates dates back to the visitors hundred years ago.
From July 29-31, this culturally rich city will witness the 17th edition of the largest Pakistan Auto Show after a gap of two years. Its supporting partners include the Trade Development Authority, the government of Pakistan, the Engineering Development Board, PCSIR, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority.
The IT revolution has turned the world into a global village. Countries are interdependent on trade and commerce. Every company and country is endeavouring for its fair share of global trade by using various tools. In this regard, trade shows and expos are quite effective. Such industrial and trade exhibitions are public gatherings that showcase their dazzling invocations. These gatherings serve to be educational, allow competitors and rivals to interact, and showcase new products.
The Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS) is the flagship project of one of the largest nationwide trade bodies Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM). Its organisers believe that this edition will break all previous records. The last episode witnessed 100 exhibitors and over 13,000 e-visitors. This event is favoured by international and local brands from Pakistan and other parts of the world.
Spreading over all the majestic four walls of the Lahore Expo Centre, it plays a vital role in introducing many investors and producers from China, Korea, Taiwan, and many other countries of the world. This year the organizers have come up with some interesting virtual and proxy displays for those who cannot physically travel. They will be given virtual access to interact with visitors at their booth.
The pinnacle of the event is a symposium which will attract industrialists, businessmen and people belonging to academia. To support the country’s foreign exchange reserves, the organizers are bullish about attracting exhibitors from every corner of the world. It is set to give opportunities for face-to-face meetings, marketing, direct sales opportunities, learning about Pakistan and its industry, increasing brand awareness, professional knowledge-sharing and closing deals worth millions of dollars.
The world is focusing on Pakistan due to the new attractive Auto Policy 2021-26 for investors. The auto industry is the mother of engineering goods, with about 15 per cent global share, which signifies tremendous scope for engineering activities awaiting entrepreneurs. Apart from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), the allied entering industries and other supporting sectors have already booked the space for the show. Local auto parts players have been accommodated in a designated large area under the name of PAAPAM village. The launching of the first electric car produced locally by the National Car Project will also come under the limelight.
The Pakistan Auto Show will not only attract business tycoons, but it will carry a great pull for car lovers as well.
