Foreign guidance: Belgium envoy calls for stronger ties

Puts emphasis on education, agriculture and trade.

FAISALABAD: Ambassador of Belgium to Pakistan Peter Claes on Tuesday called for promoting ties between the two countries especially in the sectors of education, agriculture and trade; and emphasised on dealing with water scarcity and climate changes issues.

He said this while speaking at a Deans-Directors meeting of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. He said that Pakistan is an agro-based economy and the agriculture sector was the salvation for the country.

He pointed out that universities, in the developed countries, are close to the industry. “The same mechanism must be strengthened in Pakistan.”

“Pakistan’s population is touching 200 million. It is blessed with the largest canal system but the country has become water scarce,” he added.

“The modern irrigation practices such as drip irrigation must be promoted and climate changes impact on the crops need to be tackled with modern and sophisticated research work and efforts.”

He stressed the need for collaborated efforts on part of the both countries on the issue of water; bio masses and agriculture will pave the way for further progress. Addressing on the occasion, the UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that work with Belgium will open up new horizons of progress. He said that value chain in Pakistan was a weak area in which Belgium cooperation will prove fruitful.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2014.

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