ISLAMABAD: As many as 130 exhibitors from Pakistan have set-up their stalls in the world’s largest Sports Trade Fair, ISPO-2011 in Munich. Over 2000 exhibitors of indoor and outdoor sports from different countries of the world have put on display their products ranging from sports goods, sports wears, sports gears and exercising equipment in the three-day Trade Fair.It is expected that over 64000 Trade visitors from 100 countries will be visiting the exhibition besides a number of individuals including sports fans and families.Majority of the Pakistani Exhibitors are manufacturers of sports goods from Sialkot – the world known city for its quality products of sports goods, according to a message received here from Munich on Monday.Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Shahid Kamal and Commercial Counsellor, Vaqar Khilji visited the Pakistani Pavilion on Monday. They went to each stall and met with Pakistani traders.The traders informed the Ambassador that they have been receiving serious inquires about their products and response of the market is quite positive and encouraging compared to the previous year.They expressed their optimism of having good business contracts and export orders this year. They also expressed their satisfaction on the arrangements made by the Commercial Consulate of Pakistan Embassy in Berlin and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). TDAP has extended support to 60 exhibitors under the scheme to encourage new entrants and smaller exporters.Earlier, the Ambassador held a meeting with the Exhibition Group Director of Messe Munich International (the Company that organizes ISPO every year), Markus Hefter and discussed with him organizational arrangements of World’s largest sports goods exhibition.
Dittrich informed that Pakistan was one of the most important countries that have been participating in ISPO since 1970, the year ISPO was setup.The Ambassador said that there was a need to strengthen relationship between two cities as Sialkot is the only city in the world that has been meeting over 40 % of the world market demand of hand stitched soccer balls and Munich holds world’s largest exhibition of sports goods.Therefore, we should think over developing some kind of city-Partnership between the two cities, he added.ISPO represents International Sports business network and is a major event for sports goods manufacturers and suppliers all across the world. It provides a convenient meeting ground for some of the world’s most popular sporting brands and helps in the promotion of new entrants in the market – APP
