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Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Privatisation, Investment, Ports,
Shipping, Industries & Production has arrived Dubai to deliver his keynote
address at Middle East-Pakistan Agriculture & Dairy Forum tomorrow (Tuesday)
April 29, 2008.
The objective of the Dubai Forum is to effect a ‘Road Show’ for Pakistan Dairy
and Agriculture sector in the Gulf. Arrangements are made for compatible
businesses to come together to exchange contacts, experiences and network with
a view to generate real investment and Joint Venture opportunities in the
sector.
A comparative analysis of regional growth rates by World Development
indicators 2006 highlights Pakistan agri-sector’s growth of 4.6 % second only
to China’s 5.0%. India and Malaysia have grown at 3.0 % and 3.1% respectively.
Pakistan is the World’s largest producer of oranges variety, it is also the
5th largest producer of milk having the world’s 3rd largest herd of animals.
It ranks in the top five producers of the world in mangoes and dates.
Additionally, the potential in crops like cotton, rice and sugar has earned
directly or indirectly more than 70% of total national exports.
Asia’s second largest milk processing factory has been set up in Pakistan by
Nestle SA. Nestle aims to invest PKR 50 billion in the country by 2014. Marco,
Metro & Carrefour are the new entrants in retail. They entered the market only
in the last one-year and the scope for more retailers continues to be
unlimited. Retailers intend to export fruits and vegetables for regional
operations from Pakistan.
Some of the high return ares include corporate dairy farming, seed production
& processing industry, agriculture export processing zone, dates processing
industry, vegetable processing and canning industry, fresh mango processing,
essential oil extraction industry, compartmentalized cold storage, rural
infrastructure etc;.
Most GCC foreign investment is directed towards Asian economies. Pakistan has
received substantial share of GCC investments in financial services, telecom
and real estate. Agriculture and dairy will be a win-win for both countries.
Pakistan has some of the highest returns in the sector and GCC imports 90% of
its agri-dairy needs.
During the Dubai Forum presentations will be made by multinationals on their
investment experiences and future interest in Pakistan’s agi-dairy sector,
Pakistani businesses will highlight high return opportunity areas for
attracting investment & Joint Venture partnership in the sector while Gulf
investors will deliberate on their interest and needs analysis on the
Pakistan’s agri-dairy sector.