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Islamabad, January 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): Pakistan and Argentina have great potential to enhance cooperation in agriculture sector for achieving mutually beneficial results, said H.E. Mr. Rodolfo Martin Saravia, Ambassador of Argentina while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said Argentina is strong in meat production could provide modern technology to Pakistan for quality meat production with modern line slaughter houses and end to end supply chain solutions.
He said Halal meat is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and Argentina could send its experts to help Pakistan meat industry for reaping its full potential in Halal meat market. Mr. Rodolfo said Argentina could also support Pakistan with technology transfer and expertise for agriculture development and increasing per acre yield, which has great impact for Pakistan’s economy.
He said 50-60 companies of Argentina are participating in GULFOOD 2014 Expo being held at Dubai from February 23-27, 2014 and stressed that maximum number of Pakistani entrepreneurs should attend that Expo.
The Expo could be a very good platform for businessmen of Argentina and Pakistan to interact and explore potential areas of cooperation and assured that Argentinean Embassy would offer full cooperation in connecting Pakistani entrepreneurs with Argentinean counterparts.
Pakistani business community could also see the potential of Argentina’s food technology, machinery, food packaging, processing etc. in the Expo which could be very beneficial for them. Both President ICCI and Argentinean Ambassador were of the view that Pakistan’s close proximity to the lucrative market of Middle East remains untapped for export of food, dairy and meat products.
Improving the standards, quality, hygiene and packaging which Argentina can help Pakistani exporters with, can result in up to 5 times gains to the current rates of returns for the Pakistan economy and help improving the balance of payment deficit of the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan has cheap and quality labour and good agricultural land while Argentina has advanced technology and expertise, therefore, both countries should explore Joint Ventures in agriculture field to complement each other.
He said cost of production in Pakistan is reasonable and many Middle Eastern countries are planning to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. He said Argentina should also explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially in agriculture, livestock and other sectors which offer lucrative returns to investors.
He said both countries should encourage private sectors connectivity, enhance exchange of trade delegations and organize exhibitions in each other country that will help in improving bilateral trade and economic relations up to the potential. He said ICCI would also consider taking a business delegation to South American countries including Argentina to identify new areas of collaboration.
He said ICCI would like to become partner with Argentina Embassy for organizing joint cultural events, which is the best way to promote people-to-people contacts between both countries. Facilitating people-to-people contacts will ultimately lead to improving relations in all areas of potential cooperation.
For more information, contact:
Khalid Chaudhry
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: kchicci@gmail.com
Website: www.icci.com.pk