KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh has said that preparations are in full swing to stage the 19th My Karachi Oasis of Harmony International Exhibition in a grand manner at Karachi Expo Centre.
“The three-day long exhibition which will be spread over the entire six halls of the Expo Centre with various recreational facilities available in the outer area will start off from August 2 and end on August 4, 2024,” Iftikhar added while speaking at the first meeting of the Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition which was presided over by its Chairperson Muhammad Idrees.
The president stressed that since the expo was one of the most important events of the KCCI, all managing committee members and BMGIANs must enthusiastically participate in all activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Idrees shared that the leader of the business community, the late Siraj Kassam Teli, introduce the expo 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 the Sindh government which is also the event’s co-host.
He was of the opinion that under the prevailing circumstances of economic crises wherein businesses were facing a lot of problems, strenuous and extraordinary efforts would have to be made to make the exhibition successful.
Per Idrees, the 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 the 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 the KCCI plans to hold a mango festival as well.
A large number of local and multinational companies in Pakistan have been approached and efforts are also underway for the participation of foreign delegations in this mega event.
Despite the ongoing challenging situation triggered by the skyrocketing inflation, Idrees is fairly optimistic that My Karachi will be able to attract maximum participation not only in terms of exhibitors but also in terms of visitors as it is 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 and business-to-consumer meetings, besides providing recreational facilities to people of Karachi, who densely participate in this glittering event every year”, he added.