By Muhammad Saleem
FAISALABAD: Local economies can grow by hosting cultural events and literary festivals.
Nadeem Ahmed, a cloth trader, talking to Grand Lines News said that whenever a cultural event was organized in Faisalabad, sales of cloth surged.
He said that Faisalabad is known as the textile capital of Pakistan, and people who visit the cultural events prefer to visit the Clock Tower bazaar markets to buy quality fabric.
No doubt, he said, Faisalabad offers countless fabric varieties at affordable rates. The events help us boost our businesses, which ultimately create jobs and strengthen the economy, he claimed.
Boosting Sales and Strengthening the Economy
He suggested the people at the helm to ensure funding for cultural events to boost the economy and reduce tension prevailing among masses due to multiple issues. He said that infrastructure support, like transportation, elaborate security arrangements, and well-organized public spaces, can invite the attention of visitors.
Through such events, he said the government can also broaden the tax net. Public-private partnerships can be effective in developing and managing these events, he added.
He stated that, in these times, people need entertainment to alleviate stress, while the government needs revenue to run its day-to-day affairs; cultural events can achieve these two aims at once, he claimed.
Universities as Preservers of Cultural Values
Shehryar Ahmed, of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, talking to Grand Lines News said that his academia used to organize cultural activities to keep the locals and national community engaged with their cultural values.
He said universities are efficient in preserving and spreading cultural values among students and society.
He said that cultural events can diversify the local economy, significantly helping us reduce reliance on traditional industries. With the help of such events, he said that the government and local community can easily create sustainable tourism, and introduce new products that meet visitor requirements.
It is observed that governments are arranging cultural events regularly, efficiently helping economies thrive. Steady sources of income stimulate business activities and create jobs, and currently, we need initiatives that can strengthen our economy, he added.
He said that these events can also enhance the overall quality of life, making local areas more attractive to residents and businesses.
“Cultural events and literary festivals, if planned and executed effectively, can be powerful drivers of local economic growth,” Shehryar Ahmed said.
Cultural Events as Platforms for Norms, Talent, and Economic Growth
Salma Ahmed, a teacher of the Government College University Faisalabad, said that cultural events and literary festivals are more than just entertainment. She said that these events provide us an opportunity to easily exhibit our norms and values to students and society. Besides, they serve as effective platforms to bring to light the local talent, traditions, and heritage, she added.
She explained that visitors from other regions, and even from abroad, not only invest in the local economy but also build bridges through cultural exchange. She noted that such events lead to an influx of people, boosting local businesses, like hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Similarly, she said that these events also provide space to local artisans and performers to display their skills for commercial purposes.
“We can confidently say that cultural vibrancy is a proven magnet for economic activity,” she claimed.
