U.S. helps Pakistani agri products compete in international markets

Islamabad, June 27, 2012

Contact: Mark Stroh,
Spokesperson (0308-555-0591)
86/2012                                                                                     

USAID-sponsored training in international food standards to boost Pakistani exports

USAID-sponsored training in international food standards to boost Pakistani exports- Fifteen public and private sector food safety experts from across Pakistan completed, today, a U.S.-sponsored training program on international standards for Good Auditing Practices and Legal Requirements in the agriculture sector.  The three-day training was organized by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help Pakistani products compete in international markets by introducing international food standards for agricultural products. Despite the increasing growth of the fruit and vegetable exports over the recent years, Pakistan’s share in the global trade of fresh and processed food items is still very low. To increase the ability of the Pakistani agricultural goods to compete in the international markets, USAID is working with Pakistan’s agricultural sector to introduce modern agricultural practices and international export certifications, such as Global GAP, International Featured Standards (IFS), and others. Training on Good Auditing Practices and Legal Requirements is one such effort.

“The phenomenal increase in global trade has created many new market opportunities for agricultural producers and processors worldwide,” said Dr. William Patterson, Director of the Economic Growth and Agriculture Office at USAID, addressing the training participants. “USAID is committed to helping Pakistan’s agriculture sector capitalize on these new market opportunities for the better future of all the people of this country.”

The training was organized by USAID’s Agribusiness Project. This project works to improve the competitiveness of horticulture and livestock value chains in Pakistan. The project is helping to increase the awareness about supply and market chains and about the market requirements for product quality, continuity of supply, and other best practices.