LAHORE – A three-day mega exhibition ‘Pakistan Chemical Forum’ will start on March 4 at the International Expo Centre Lahore.
The B2B Media (Pvt.) LTD and Pakistan Chemistry Council will organise the event which will serve as the biggest trade platform where 250+ foreign delegates will be joining to showcase chemicals, raw materials, plants & machinery, analytical equipment and finished products. The show aims at providing a platform for Industry-Academia linkage and also serves as a milestone step for enhancing the exports of Pakistan in general, and image building of beloved country at the international level in particular. President LCCI, Regional Chairman FPCCI and Provincial Minister will be chief guests at the inaugural ceremony to be held on March 4.
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional chairman Zaki Aijaz and organizer of Pakistan Chemical Forum Moazzam Rasheed briefed the media about the details of the event and responded to the queries of journalists on Thursday.
Inconsistent policies, unprecedented increases in energy prices, unrealistic taxation and high policy rates are major challenges faced by the chemical sector, they said while highlighting the challenges faced by the chemical sector.
“Huge difference in volumes of imports and exports of chemicals is alarming. Pakistan imports chemicals worth $35 billion while the exports are just $3.5 billion. There is a need to bridge the gap by gradually decreasing imports and increasing exports. The prudent way forward is import substitution through local production, optimum utilisation of natural resources and value addition”, they said, adding that the chemical sector has enormous potential which should be properly utilised for bridging trade deficit.
Sharing details of the mega event, Moazzam Rasheed said that the 10th Pakistan Coating Show will deal in coatings – paints – inks – sealants – construction chemicals and surface finishes having an estimated revenue of $50 billion and export volume of $19 million.
The 3rd PAKCHEM Expo will deal in speciality and commodity chemicals – petrochemicals – allied industries with an estimated revenue of $20 billion and export volume of $1.15 billion.
The 4th Pakistan Polyurethane Expo deals in foam – construction – footwear – insulation – appliances – flexible and rigid applications with an estimated revenue of $6.73 billion and an export volume of $96.2 million.
The 5th PAKLAB Expo deals in total lab solutions including analytical instruments – consumables – testing services – and furniture with an estimated revenue of $1 billion and an export volume of $407 million.
A vast range of products from local and foreign companies from paint, footwear, construction, sealants, total lab solution providers for analytical instruments, consumables, testing services, textiles and various other sectors will be displayed on 350 stalls. Seminars and conferences will also be part of this show where participants will get a chance to attend presentations of key personnel from industry and academia. Workshops and training in the show will help the professional and student bodies to enhance skills through learning, knowledge sharing, capacity building and interactive sessions. A ChemSMART will also be part of this expo where the basic concept behind the Smart Startups program is for the new graduate to present their Innovative Ideas to the business leaders in the relevant field during the Pakistan Chemical Forum.
