TDAP Marks 79th Independence Day at Karachi Expo Centre with New Trade Access Platform
Export promotion plans, PTAD launch and Expo Centre upgrades take centre stage as business leaders call for stronger global market links
TDAP officials and business leaders celebrate Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day at Karachi Expo Centre
KARACHI: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) marked the country’s 79th Independence Day with a ceremony at the Karachi Expo Centre, also celebrating the venue’s Silver Jubilee and highlighting new initiatives to expand Pakistan’s international trade.
The ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag and was attended by business leaders, TDAP officials, media representatives and other guests.
Addressing the gathering, TDAP Secretary Sheryar Taj outlined the authority’s growing role in export promotion and trade facilitation. He said the PTAD platform and a wide-ranging business plan would help Pakistani exporters identify new international markets and strengthen commercial links.
Under TDAP’s Business Plan 2026-27, the authority has planned 483 trade development activities. These include 129 international exhibitions, 93 seminars, 130 webinars, 54 trade delegations, 30 regional fairs focused on SMEs and women entrepreneurs, and 20 high-profile business forums.
Sheryar Taj also highlighted several flagship events planned for the financial year. These include FoodAg 2026 in Karachi, the Made in Pakistan Exhibition in Bangladesh, TEXPO 2027 in Karachi, WEXNET 2027 in Lahore and the Healthcare, Engineering and Mineral Show (HEMS) in Lahore.
According to TDAP, the programmes are designed to improve Pakistan’s export visibility, create international business connections and open new opportunities for local exporters.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the launch of the Preferential Trade Access Database (PTAD). The digital platform brings together information on preferential market access available under Pakistan’s 29 trade arrangements.
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The new database is intended to serve as a unified digital gateway for exporters seeking market intelligence. It can help businesses identify international opportunities and understand available preferential trade arrangements.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Businessmen Group Chairman Zubair Motiwala, former KATI president Junaid Naqi, former FPCCI Senior Vice President Waseem Vohra and TDAP Consultant Kamal Shehryar.
The speakers highlighted Pakistan’s trade and economic potential while appreciating TDAP’s efforts to support exporters and facilitate the business community.
Attention was also drawn to development and modernisation work at the Karachi Expo Centre. Several projects have been completed, while others remain under implementation.
The upgrades include waterproofing of exhibition halls, replacement of corrugated sheets, installation of a solar power system and a new firefighting system designed according to international standards.
TDAP said the improvements are aimed at strengthening the Expo Centre’s safety, sustainability, energy efficiency and overall infrastructure.
Business community representatives welcomed the modernisation initiatives and praised TDAP’s efforts to promote exports and stimulate commercial activity.
The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and group photographs marking both Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day and the Silver Jubilee of the Karachi Expo Centre.
