Asians, Europeans keen to invest in Sindh

Livestock, dairy, poultry and fisheries seen as potential areas for investment by Asian and European companies.

KARACHI: Various companies of Asia and Europe have shown interest in investing in livestock, dairy, fishery and poultry sectors in Sindh, informed Secretary Investment and DG Sindh Board of Investment (SBI), Mohammad Younus Dagha.

The provincial government wants to highlight the potential of investment for local and foreign investors and SBI has already planned a number of projects, said Dagha, while speaking on the sidelines of a meeting organised on Tuesday in connection with the upcoming SBI exhibition.

SBI wants to attract investors to fish farming along the 350-kilometre coastal belt of the province. There is not a single quality fish farm in Pakistan, whereas Iran and Thailand have done a lot in fish farming, he said.

These farms are necessary because of the declining fish catch which was down 30 to 40 per cent this year compared to last year, he said.

Despite discouraging investment conditions in the country, many well-informed local investors have expanded their businesses. He cited the example of some companies which invested over the last three years and expanded their scope.

“We have taken all businessmen from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry on board so that investors can explore new vistas of business in agri-economy.”

He said, “Our slogan is ‘diversify your investment’ - which is especially aimed at local investors who want to invest in new business ventures.”

“We are laying the ground work for future investments and once the economy of the country starts picking up, areas like livestock and others will receive huge investments,” he added.

Investment exhibition

SBI is organising an international event to promote the potential of livestock, dairy and fishery sectors on February 7 and 8 at the Karachi Expo Centre. The exhibition will highlight a comprehensive range of technical, business and financial information for the targeted sectors.

Key foreign and local players in the entire value chain in livestock, dairy, fishery and poultry fields are expected to participate as exhibitors, including prominent businessmen, prospective investors, diplomatic missions, multilateral agencies and academia.

The visitors will witness for the first time a horse and cattle show, Dagha said, adding that the show will have cattle breeders not only from Sindh but also from all over the country who will come with their finest breeds to compete. The winner will be awarded with cash prizes and trophies.

The two-day event, which is expected to attract 30,000 people, will bring investors, buyers and consumers under one roof, who will discuss and share ideas.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th,  2011.