U.S. Launches Workshops to Build Pakistan’s Ag Exports

Islamabad, January 23, 2012

January 23, 2011                                                                       
Contact: Mark Stroh, Spokesman (0308-555-0591)
008/2012

The U.S. Government launched a series of workshops across Pakistan today to help increase Pakistan’s agricultural exports.  These workshops will bring together Pakistani government representatives, private business, and farmers to discuss international standards for agricultural exports and identify ways for improved manufacturing, processing, and packaging of agricultural goods for international markets.  These two-day workshops will take place in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta.

“Pakistan’s share in the world’s agricultural and food exports depends on its ability to increase agricultural productivity, to identify strategic market opportunities, and to compete with other suppliers,” said Dr. Andrew Sisson Director, Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Pakistan.  “The U.S. Government is committed to working with the people and government of Pakistan to unleash Pakistan’s potential for agricultural export growth.”  Dr. M. Azeem Khan, Senior Director of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Omar Hameed, Director of the Trade Development Council of Pakistan, and Haroon Sharif, General Manager of LKMR Technology Consulting also spoke at the opening of the Islamabad workshop. 

Nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population is directly or indirectly linked with agriculture for their livelihood.  However, this sector currently accounts only for 21 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.  Similarly, agricultural exports constitute less than 18 percent of the country’s total exports. Pakistan’s share in the top five import markets for agricultural goods constitutes only 0.1 percent of these markets.  These statistics suggest a tremendous potential for growth, both in the agricultural production and in exports.