Trading love from across the border

CHANDIGARH: Forging new ties and strengthening old ones with Pakistan, in the backdrop of CII’s third edition of Made in Pakistan, a fair to be held here from March 22, would be the main aim this time around too. Business would be incidental at the fair that will conclude on March 26.
Already there is a little bit of Pakistan in several homes in Chandigarh and Punjab and Haryana, from where people had visited the earlier two fairs.And not many have forgotten the taste of lip smacking dishes from across the border that was available at the food courts during the earlier fairs.
“I had bought decoration pieces made out of onyx, which is otherwise hard to find in the city. Pakistani suits with their typical embroidery are also something to look forward to at the fair. My husband relishes mutton dishes each year for their trademark spices,” said Amarjot Kaur, a resident of Sector 27 and regular at the fair.
Apart from promoting people-to-people contact, the fair, to be held at Himachal Bhawan in Sector 28, will showcase best of Pakistan’s culture with display of products like garments, footwear, handicraft, onyx, furniture and gemstones. Food courts serving Pakistan cuisines would, as usual, be a big draw.
A total of 65 companies will set up 70 stalls and four food courts. The event is a complete representation of the Pakistan culture.
CII director Nitin Peshawarya said, “We started this fair in 2006 and the growth has increased three times since then. This event will serve as an ideal platform to strengthen trade and business ties between the two nations.”
Khurshid Barlas, member of Chamber of Commerce and Industries said, “What CII started in 2006 was not only for trade purpose, but the main aim was to send a message of love. We have lot of potential, just need to explore ourselves and that will be possible only with the help of each other.”