Made in Gilgit Exhibition 4 - 5 May 2017, Alhamra Hall, Lahore

08-May-2017

The National Productivity Organization (NPO) has organized an exhibition on Made in Gilgit form 4 - 5 May 2017 in Alhamra Hall, Mall road, Lahore. The exhibition was organized under “Made in Gilgit” project of the USAID Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund Program (SGAFP).The objective of the exhibition was to improve productivity and socio-economic condition of 35 selected craft's persons belonging to District Gilgit by providing them opportunities for promoting and marketing their products to increase sales.
Stalls of various products from Gilgit were showcased at the exhibition. Stalls for embroidery work, wallets, key chains, caps, stone work (sharma), wood utensils (walnut & pinewood), woolen crafts (shawls, namda, pattu, yardage), precious and semi-precious stones, metals, herbal products, honey, and dry fruit were displayed at the exhibition.
Exhibition started at 2:00 p.m. on 4thMay 2017 and large number of crowd visited stalls of exhibitors. Visitors showed keen interest in the products of Gilgit and encouraged exhibitors participation by purchasing their products. 

Opening and Ribbon Cutting by President by President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI)

Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 6:00 p.m. on 4th May 2017. Mr. Abdul Basit, President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) was Chief Guest for opening and ribbon cutting of the exhibition. Mr. Abdul Ghaffar Khattak, CEO NPO along with his team members received the chief guest on his arrival in the Alhamra Hall. President LCCI was accompanied by other executive members of LCCI. Mr. Tariq Mehmood, President, Ismaili Council for Punjab and KPK Region was also invited on the opening of exhibition.
President LCCI, President Ismaili Council and CEO NPO formally opened the Lahore exhibition by ribbon cutting at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, President LCCI took a round of exhibitors’ stalls and CEO, NPO briefed him about the Made in Gilgit project and its outcome. Project Coordinator explained about products offered by the exhibitors and its affiliation with the culture of Gilgit Baltistan. President, LCCI took keen interest in their products/crafts and inquired about their experience in the Made in Gilgit project. Exhibitors thanked for his visit and requested that LCCI should take initiatives to support Gilgit based entrepreneurs to market their products in Punjab and other areas of Pakistan.
During stalls visit President LCCI asked exhibitors about their views for the city of Lahore. Most of the exhibitors shared that they are visiting Lahore for the first time and they are not much familiar with its culture. President LCCI surprised to know this and promised them to arrange a city tour for them so that they can know the rich culture of Lahore city. In the meanwhile, he inquired about the schedule of exhibition and available time for the tour. The Project Manager shared their available timeslot for tour arrangement and staff of LCCI arranged TDCP bus for city tour of exhibitors on 6th May 2017. The exhibitors and NPO team thanked President LCCI for the gift of Lahore city tour.
While discussing to the media, President LCCI said that the local products of Gilgit are excellent and present their culture. The objective of this exhibition is to give exposure to local entrepreneurs to the major markets in Pakistan. This activity aims at uplifting socioeconomic condition of the community and connect the entrepreneurs with direct buyers. In an interview CEO NPO said that this initiative actually marks the beginning of new phase in which Gilgit based entrepreneurs will be uplifted in terms of their businesses. He added that NPO will continue promoting the cultural and traditional heritage of the area.
Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Capt (r) Atta Muhammad Khan also visited the exhibition and said this two-day exhibition is purely based on the arts and crafts of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The exhibitors showed their satisfaction and appreciated efforts of NPO and USAID-SGAFP in making their dreams come true as these kinds of opportunities are very rare for them and required to uplift the economic condition of the Gilgit Baltistan region. President LCCI appreciated NPO forproviding opportunities to beneficiaries from the Gilgit Baltistan for linkages development and introduce their products in the cities of Lahore and Islamabad through Made in Gilgit exhibitions.

Media Briefing and Journalists Tour

A large number of electronic and print media covered the exhibition on both days. During their coverage they took interviews from President, LCCI and CEO, NPO about their views about exhibition and their plan for providing support to exhibitors in future. They also took interviews from stall holders and visitors to know their views. Some of the media representatives include PTV, Geo News, AAJ TV News, ARY News, Lahore News, Star News, News One and The New.

Picture Gallery
Visit of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Delegate
Ribbon cutting by Mr. Abdul Basit, President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Mr. Tariq Mehmood, President, Ismaili Council for Punjab and KPK Region and Mr. Abdul GhaffarKhattak, CEO, NPO.
Guest taking a round of exhibitors stall and interestingly inquiring about their products
Guests wearing traditional cap of Gilgit	President LCCI discussing exhibitors experience

People Attending the Exhibition

Media Coverage and Journalists Tour

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