by Asghar Khan

Serena Hotels Pakistan participated in the 4th Annual International Kashgar Central and South Asia Trade Fair in Kashgar, China from June 28 – July 2, 2008. The total exhibition area was 50,539 square meters, equipped with 1,200 booths, including 1,000 indoor standard booths, 200 outdoor booths. Participating countries including Afghanistan, India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) displayed their products in the trade fair. 50 stalls were set up by the Pakistani participants while 28 stalls had been established by the business community of Northern Areas. The objective of country’s participation in the Fair was to enhance bilateral trade and to explore new avenues for investment between Pakistan, Tajikistan and China.
 
In the Northern Areas Pakistan Stalls Serena Hotels Pakistan, Gems stones and Local crafts have been displayed for the attraction of the visitors. Serena Hotels displayed the posters of Serena Hotels Pakisan with press kits and corporate brochures
 
During the exhibition many visitors, investors, tourists, Govt. Officials of China, Pakistan and Tajikistan, students and special project investors in Pakistan visit the stall and showed their interest in Serena Hotels.  Pakistani Govt. officials also visited the stall and appreciated that Serena Hotels has participated in this fair to promote tourism from China. Mostly the visitors were interested in Northern Areas Pakistan.

by: Amber Masud

The Regional GLOF Risk Reduction Project, funded by DIPECHO and UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), aims to address the risks posed by GLOFs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region comprising India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan through strengthening non-structural and community-based approaches. The updates for Pakistan components are given below:

• The process for preparing the Preparatory Assessment Report has been initiated with compilation of information through desk review of various sources and available documents. Interactions have been held with National Agriculture Research Council (NARC) for supporting the field study. Inputs/observations made during the field visit are being factored into the Report.
• The Questionnaire and TOR for the field study and interaction with communities and local administration and other stakeholders have been finalized.
• During end-May and early-June, some incidents of GLOFs had taken place in Northern Areas particularly in Ghulkin glacier in the Hunza River basin. The Project Support Officer visited the affected areas to study the situation, interact with local administration and communities and to network with agencies/humanitarian agencies working in the area. Efforts are being made to establish closer coordination with FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance and other NGOs working in the area.
• The Project components, objectives and activities were explained at two separate workshops/panel discussions on Climate Change organized by Water Resource Research Institute (WRRI), National Agriculture Research Council (NARC) and Leadership in Environment and Development (LEAD), respectively. The Project was presented as a good example for efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on mountain communities. These interactions were attended by scientists, experts and environmentalists, some of whom are being consulted for enhancing the effectiveness of project activities.
• The National DRR Advisor, UNDP participated in a panel discussion on climate change on HUM Television with participants from IUCN, WWF-P and the Chairman of Standing Committee for Environment in Northern Areas and referred to the project activities in detail. The participation of leading organizations, politicians and policy makers helped focus attention on the threat posed by GLOFs and helped enhance the visibility of the project and supporting organization viz. DIPECHO.

For regional details click for the report: monthly_update-june081

BEIJING ( 2008-07-01 14:54:05 ) akistan and China on Tuesday pledged to take their bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2011, in their effort bringing economic ties at par with their strong political and strategic partnership.

These views were expressed by Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmat Ullah Kakar after his meeting with Secretary General of CPC Kashgar, Shi Dagang.

The meeting was held between the two leaders during the week-long 4th Kashgar Central and South Asia Trade Fair that started on June 28, the Commercial and Economic Counsellor of Pakistan Embassy Dr. Naeem Khan told APP on return from Kashgar.

Shi expressed the hope that following implementation of Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China the bilateral trade would further improve.

The meeting was also attended by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Lue Zhao Hui and Managing Director of Pakistan Housing Authority Raja Mohammad Abbas besides other members of Pakistan delegation.

The Secretary General of CPC thanked the Minister and his delegation for participating in the Fair in large number.

On the occasion, he also expressed his gratitude for the massive relief goods provided by the Pakistani government for the May 12 Sichuan devastated earthquake.

Minister for Housing Rehmat Kakar called for greater coordination between the customs, immigration and Quarantine departments as well as among the Administrations of Xingjian and Northern Areas for smooth flow of bilateral trade.

He also highlighted the importance of Pakistan and China Cross Boarder Economic Zones.

The Minister said that Pakistan is keen to improve its communication and infrastructure network and in this connection he pointed out that the expansion of Karakarum Highway is already taken in hand at a cost of $ 500 Million.

He further said that a feasibility study to lay a railway network between Havalian to Kashgar at a cost of Rs 144 million has also been carried out by the Government of Pakistan.

He said that with improved communication network and integrated boarder management there will be much greater trade through the KKH.

The Housing Minister lauded the excellent arrangements made by the Chinese government for the Beijing Olympic and expressed the confidence that the August 8-24 sports gala would be the most successful ever staged in the history.

“The government and people of Pakistan fully support one China policy and strongly condemn those who elements who wanted to involve politics in the Games”, he added.

Out of 200 stalls established in the fair, 50 stalls have been set up by the Pakistani exhibitors while 28 by the business community of Northern Areas.

In the Pakistani pavilion, the business community has exhibited goods produced in the country showcasing the high quality products which are attracting the visitors in the international fair of the economic importance.

Photographs by Asghar Khan