Pakistan's Ambassador to UAE Afzal Mahmood inaugurates the exhibition while other dignitaries look on.

Starting the new year on a high note, the Pakistan pavilion brings an exquisite exhibit of the culturally rich and illustrious Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Expo 2020 Dubai. The opening ceremony was held on January 2 and the exhibition was inaugurated by Afzal Mahmood, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE, in the presence of dignitaries from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, Board of Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT) and Culture & Tourism Authority (KPCTA).

Throughout the month of January 2022, the region of Khyber will showcase its prowess in various sectors such as tourism, agriculture, mines and minerals, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), energy, infrastructure and Information Technology and its massive potential for investment in the mentioned sectors. Speaking at the ceremony, Afzal Mahmood said, “Expo 2020 Dubai is a global platform for Pakistan to show the advancement of the country and its regions while maintaining its dynamic culture.

It has allowed Pakistan to present an in-depth view of everything the country has to offer.” Cottage industries such as wood clusters, textiles, leather, precious stones/ gems and the carpet industry play a major role in Khyber trade. “The idea behind this exhibition is to boost the industry and attract investment to further the development of small and medium enterprises.

These industries are deep-rooted in our culture and have stood the test of time. With infrastructure and technological developments, small businesses have developed as well and have a huge potential for investment," commented Hassan Daud Butt, Chief Executive Officer, KP-Board of Investment & Trade.

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken major steps in making the business environment conducive to investors in order to uplift the standard of living of the locals and increase employment within the region. Commenting on the occasion, Engr. Said Mehmood, Vice Chairman KP-Board of Investment & Trade, said, “We are extremely grateful for this international platform that will help us in positioning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan as a powerhouse of trade, investment and culture.”

Kamran Ahmad Afridi, Director-General, KP-Culture & Tourism Authority, said, “Khyber is blessed natural beauty and scenic landscapes and is one of the biggest domestic tourist attractions in the country. We would like to use Expo 2020 as a platform to display our tourist spots, cultural heritage sites, indigenous Kalash culture, historic Gandhara Civilisation, sites for adventure tourism in northern and southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a lot more to the tourists and investors to visit these picturesque sites and invest in the sector.”

The opening ceremony was conducted in the presence of Hassan Daud Butt, Kamran Ahmad Afridi, Engr. Said Mehmood, Director General, Trade and Development Rizwan Tariq, Pakistan Business Association and Pakhtunkhwa Business Council.