ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Qatar on August 23, 2022.
Meanwhile, a meeting to discuss proposals related to co-investment and joint venture projects with Qatar government was held at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in Islamabad on Friday.
The participants explored avenues to further strengthen the ties between Pakistan and Qatar in agriculture and livestock sector in the backdrop of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Qatar.
The Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema chaired the meeting, which was attended by the Minister of State for Petroleum Division Dr. Mussadik Masood Malik and Officials from Ministry of National Food Security and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Among various proposals, it was discussed that Pakistan and Qatar can jointly form a company to co-invest in agriculture sector.
Furthermore, modern farms can be established with the latest technology and techniques to improve the standards of farming. Value-addition and food processing were identified as areas through which farmers can benefit.
The participants were of view that accreditation of farmers and certification of agricultural products can help to ensure standard and quality. Qatar heavily relies on food import to meet the local demand.
The participants of the meeting were of view that joint venture projects with Qatar in agriculture and livestock can help Qatar ensure food security while Pakistan can gain by getting investment in the sector.
The Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema said that the ministry plans to improve the agriculture sector, and for that we are planning for mechanisms to bring the farming at par with international standards.
Tariq Bashir Cheema added that this will help the farmers in improving their productivity and pave the way for value addition.
Regarding the proposals for the prime minister’s visit to Qatar, the minister directed that the officials that they should identify the areas of co-investment and joint ventures through which agriculture supply chain and infrastructure can be improved.
