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Pakistani
traders reap bumper business at IITF
Friday November 19, 2010 06:36:00 PM,
Rohit Vaid,
IANS
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New Delhi:
Pakistani textiles, spices and handicrafts have become huge hits
at the 30th India International Trade Fair (IITF) here. Pakistani
traders have reported bumper sales thanks to cash-rich Indian
customers.
Ali Noor, a Karachi-based Pakistani businessman dealing in spices
and readymade food pastes, told IANS: "This is my first experience
at the Trade Fair. It's only three days now and the sales have
been great."
The 28-year-old Noor said Indian customers had huge amounts of
disposable income and were willing to shop for quality goods.
"I get a great many number of customers every day. At this rate my
stock would be over even before the fair opens for the general
public. It's not just me but everyone from the textiles, spices,
handicrafts and leather sectors feel the same way."
Although the fair opened Nov 14, it was opened to the general
public only after four days during which time only businessmen and
those with passes were allowed entry.
Noor's enthusiasm is measurable. He has sold most of his 200-plus
cartons of spices and sub-continental culinary preparations he
brought from Pakistan.
He said one reason for such a response could be that the
opportunity to buy Pakistani goods comes rarely because of the
lack of trade between the two countries. So people stock up when a
chance comes their way.
"I see people visit my stall even after they shop for masalas at
other Pakistani stalls. This is because they don't get quality
Pakistani goods in India. I believe the potential for trade
between the two countries is enormous," Noor added.
The Pakistani contingent at the IITF, one of the biggest, includes
textile firms like Laila Art, Rohhirung and Nadia's, and
handicraft goods maker Warsi Impex, which have been coming to
India for over a decade.
According to Mazhar ul Haq Mufti, director of the Pakistani stalls
and assistant secretary to the Karachi-based Federation of
Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the hunger for
Pakistani goods in India was very evident.
This was the reason, he said, for the impressive customer response
right from day one of the fair.
"It's fantastic. In spite of high prices of ticket in the business
days, we see very good response. We know some Indian customers
wait for a year and keep in touch with vendors to bring their
favoured textiles and other goods to the fair," Mufti told IANS.
Suhmita Malkhani from east Delhi said her shopping bills at the
Pakistani stalls totalled about Rs.8,000, mostly for textiles and
handicrafts.
"I have been here since morning and have finished my shopping
budget. I bought a lot of textiles, including cloth, shawls, bed
covers, sheets and salwars," she said.
Alam, a textile trader from Lahore, expressed similar sentiment:
"Sales have zoomed. Indians' love for our textiles is enormous. I
wish we had brought a bigger stock. We are even getting several
dealership inquiries."
Alam too is on the verge of exhausting his stock. He feels it
would have been much better if Pakistani and Indian traders could
sell their goods all year long in both countries.
"We have finished almost everything, and the general public is
only starting to come," he said.
Noor is a delighted man.
"Indians are a beautiful people. They come not just to buy but
also to inquire about the state of our country with a lot concern
and care. Right now Pakistan is going trough some tough times but
people from both sides have a lot of love to share," Noor told
IANS.
(Rohit Vaid can
be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in )
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