The second edition of ‘Made in India’ show was organized in Lahore recently. It showcased around 120 exhibitors with Indian products like textiles, gems, jewellery, embroidery, herbal medicine, electric products, paint, designing and engineering. The aim was to improve trade ties between the neighbours.

The show is organized by commerce ministries of both countries. Trade relations have not been too good between the two countries and so efforts are being made to ease cross-border tension. Trade has already accelerated with the formal exchange of goods between India and Pakistan increasing from Rs 1,552 crores in 2003 to over Rs 16,000 crores in 2013.

Jyotsna Suri, Head of the Indian delegation and Vice President, FICCI, there is a tremendous potential that remains untapped. The potential of bilateral trade can be gauged by the growth, which is almost 25 per cent, over the last three years — still 10 times lower than the potential. Suri emphasizes the need for promotion of tourism between the two countries which would boost growth and bring the two nations closer. 

Some Indian companies introduced power saving and efficient ginning machines during the show. Besides participation in the exhibition, representatives of these companies also visited Karachi to brief the industry about the efficiency of the Indian made cotton ginning machinery. The next ‘Made in Pakistan’ conference is expected to be held in Delhi later this year.

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