Pakistan, Turkey agree to liberalise trade swiftly

Pakistan sets up horticulture garden in Antalya expo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have expressed their determination that they will reach an early conclusion to the trade liberalisation talks currently under way between the two countries.

The two sides expressed the resolve during Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in the city of Antalya.

Dastgir was in Turkey to represent Pakistan at the Antalya International Horticulture Expo 2016, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Saturday.

Nearly 40 countries participated and exhibited their expertise in horticulture production at the expo, which was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Turkey.

Pakistan set up its horticulture garden in a thematic way that portrayed the country’s cultural diversity along with its specialties in the horticulture industry. The private sector outlined the premier quality, taste and nutritional value of Pakistani fruits and vegetables. Different varieties of flowers were also presented to the visitors. Speaking on the occasion, Dastgir said horticulture was an essential part of the agriculture sector that provided livelihood to small farmers. “Pakistan is bestowed with great diversity in geographical and climatic conditions that leads to production of a wide range of fruits and vegetables that are recognised across the world due to their unique taste,” he said.

The minister pointed out that Pakistan had introduced several awareness campaigns to train farmers in growing, harvesting, grading and packaging of horticulture produce in line with latest trends in order to fetch a premium in international export markets.

The expo, which was also visited by Turkish President Erodgan and Prime Minister Davutoglu, showcased the new technology and farm equipment used in modern-day horticulture. It highlighted the impact of horticulture practices on environment and the mitigating strategies adopted by progressive farmers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2016.

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