LAHORE: Indian traders at the India Show while expressing their views about Pakistan Customs have said that the department has played a vital role in facilitating the Indian traders at the 2nd India Show.
Indian traders were of the view that customs department’s special arrangement of goods examination and clearance at the Expo Centre was a novel idea that facilitated them a lot.
Deputy Collector Customs Iram Sohail told Customs Today, “We have speedily disposed of their invoices in advance at their convenience besides setting up parallel system here. Our examiners were examining their goods at their stalls and the traders who were going back to their country were refunded customs duty on unsold items without any inconvenience.”
“It is a good experience to be in Pakistan. Our jewellery designs are being appreciated. People are buying as Indian jewellery is much cheaper than that of the Pakistani jewellery,” said Mehul Coski, owner of Rajwarah jewellers. Umang Mehta, another jeweller expressed similar feelings.
India Gems and Jewellery Association President A K Dughal talked to this scribe in similar fashion saying that it was a great pleasure to here in Pakistan. “However, I would like to say that next time there should be separate exhibitions for Indian jewellery as most of the people do not know difference between original and artificial. I have designed exclusive ornaments and never repeated any design. Our jewellery is costly for the reason of 35 per cent duty which the Pakistani government has imposed.”
Muhammad Aslam, a trader of Indian Banarsi Sari said, “People are demanding Shalwar Qamis while I have brought with me Banarsi Sari. As the Pakistani currency is weak against the Indian currency, they are also complaining high prices.”
Besides visitors expressed mixed opinion about the prices and quality of the Indian products. “Indian jewellery’s rates are affordable while designs are excellent. Both are comparatively upright than Pakistani jewellery’s rates and designs,” a household lady said.
Another lady visitor, however, appreciating Pakistani jewellery said that Pakistani products are better than that of the Indian ones in quality and prices, which are almost double besides there is a limited choice.
However, emotionally both Indian and Pakistanis were excited while having B-to-B meetings and interaction with each other.
