Exhibition of Pakistani products attracts big crowd

 

LONDON: A two-day exhibition and sale of fabric, home ware, fashion wear, jewellery, carpets and gifts by Pakistan’s women entrepreneurs was held at the Kensington Great Hall, Central London. The event drew a big crowd from British and Asian ethnic communities who came to see the country’s wide range of products. Titled ‘From Loom to Luxury’, the exhibition reflected the quality of manufacturing rooted in the rich heritage of Pakistan. 55 women entrepreneurs displayed their creations in the exhibition.

 

The visitors showed keen interest in the products which included textiles, leather, marble, carpets, fine art crafts, herbal food while information on travel and tourism was also available to the guests. The unusual and diverse array of products and items not usually found in trade and business exhibitions caught the eye of the guests drawn from the diplomatic corps, business community, students and private sector.

 

A galaxy of cross-party British parliamentarians including women MPs and Peers attended the event as guests of honour and showed keen interest in the products. The women parliamentarians included: Madeleine Moon MP, Dari Taylor MP, Ann Cryer MP, Fiona Mactaggart MP, Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, and Baroness Uddin. In their remarks, the British parliamentarians praised the active role being played by women in Pakistan in all walks of life.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK described the event as the first of its kind to be arranged in the British capital for promoting products manufactured by Pakistani women from the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

 

She mentioned that the key objectives of the exhibition were to boost trade and enhance Pakistan’s image by countering stereotypes. “The main purpose of this event is to secure access to UK and European market for Pakistani women entrepreneurs,” she said.

 

Dr. Lodhi praised the entrepreneurial skills of Pakistan women and said on display are their creative magic. ‘This reflects the vigour, the spirit and enterprise of the Pakistani nation. It is a fusion of traditional and modern that really defines our country.”

 

High Commissioner Dr Lodhi said that Pakistan is generally known in Europe as the main manufacturer of towels and bed linen but this trade exhibition will show to the British people a wide range of other products manufactured in the South Asian country.

 

The idea of holding such an event was conceived by the Pakistan High Commission and has been sponsored with the active collaboration of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). She appreciated the efforts of Commercial Secretary Saira Najeeb and businesswoman Talat Wasim in making the event successful.

 

Major exhibitors included: Terry Tex International, Tania’s Collection, The Herbal Workshop, Gulabo range by designer Maheen Khan, Shireen’s Designs, Faiza Samee’s creations, Mujmua - The Art Gallery, Taneez (Pvt) Ltd. (Silver ware), Khaamta, SJ Carpets & Rugs, and Le Sac designer.

 

 

APP - February 25, 2008