Agri export target fixed at $7bn for current fiscal: PM

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his government would send 1,000 graduates to China to acquire the latest training in the field of agriculture, adding that the target of Pakistan’s agricultural exports has been fixed at $7 billion for the current fiscal year.

The premier stated this while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the second International Food and Agriculture Expo during his day-long visit to Karachi on Friday.

Sharif acknowledged China’s advancement in the farming sector through the use of the latest technology.

He told the audience that he had visited state-of-the-art centres during his visit to China where the advancement had been in farming methods had been ensured through the use of the latest technology.

He pointed out that prospects of widened mutual cooperation were present between China and Pakistan in the field of livestock rearing.

He said that Pakistan possessed massive potential to increase its agricultural exports, adding that the use of the latest technology, and research and development were the way forward to increase the farm sector exports.

He reiterated the resolve of his government to facilitate farmers and exporters in Pakistan, adding that the federal and provincial governments should join hands to upgrade Pakistan’s farming sector.

The prime minister suggested that the target of Pakistan’s agricultural exports should be $7 billion for the next year. He informed the audience that the exports of farming products from Pakistan had increased to $3 billion, expressing optimism that the country had massive potential to increase its farming exports.

He greeted the Pakistani exporters and relevant officials on the increase in exports. Sharif said that the latest farming technologies and techniques had to be used to increase Pakistan’s per-acre farming yield. He said Pakistan could increase its farming production through the services of agricultural experts.

He said that there should be a maximum focus on research and development activities for the advancement of the farming sector.

The prime minister mentioned that Pakistan had special ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Turkiye. He said that joint projects could be launched in the farming sector in partnership with the Gulf States in addition to cooperation in different fields including minerals. He said that every hardship could be eased through hard work.

At the outset of his speech, Sharif praised the athlete, Arshad Nadeem, for winning gold medal in the ongoing Paris Olympics in the Javelin Throw competition. He said that Nadeem had achieved a historic victory for Pakistan after winning an Olympic gold medal for the country after a gap of 40 years.

“This success has given us encouragement and hope that life is full of challenges but nothing is impossible if we show courage,” said the PM while declaring that the gold medal winner athlete would be given a warm reception on his arrival in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, addressing the representatives of international companies, including China, doing business in Pakistan, the prime minister said that the next phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would mainly involve business-to-business arrangements, particularly in the industrial sector.

He emphasised the transformation of friendly relations between China and Pakistan into enhanced investment, economic and trade ties. The Sindh governor, chief minister, federal ministers, prominent businessmen and senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Sharif said: “Pakistan and China are two iron brothers and now we have to convert these relations of brotherhood and friendship into enhanced investment, economic and trade relations, particularly in the fields of agriculture, information technology, mines, minerals and infrastructure.”

Being an agrarian economy with over 60 percent rural population, Pakistan needed to further strengthen and augment its agricultural produce, he said and added that Pakistani agricultural exports increased by $3 billion in the last financial year while the country had fixed a target of additional $7 billion for the current fiscal year.

Terming it as a quantum leap that required vigorous efforts along with the adoption of modern technology, techniques and best practices, the premier said that China could be our best partner in achieving this target of boosting agricultural exports and value addition in exports.

Encouraging the Chinese businessmen to enter into business cooperation agreements with Pakistani counterparts, the prime minister said that the next phase of the CPEC will mainly consist of business-to-business arrangements and joint ventures in the industry particularly in textile and agriculture production, and then export of these products to different countries.

He added that Pakistan and China could devise a common mechanism for production and export of such products and it will be a win-win situation for both the countries.

He said that Pak-China friendship is not only higher than mountains but now it is touching skies as Pakistan has sent its satellite into space with assistance from China.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah discussed current political situation and administrative issues.

Murad called on Sharif during his day-long visit to Karachi.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz felicitated Professor Muhammad Yunus as he took the oath of office of Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government.

“Heartiest felicitations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his swearing-in as Chief Adviser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline.

He wished Professor Yunus great success in guiding Bangladesh towards a harmonious and prosperous future.

Shehbaz said that he looked forward to working with him to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the days ahead.