Organic food industry played a positive role in addressing health challenges posed by the changing lifestyle. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that the government is looking to set the export target at $35 billion for the next fiscal year, though exports are falling for the past many months.
“It is not only Pakistan that has seen the trade deficit widen, some leading economies like China and Malaysia have also observed this trend,” Hussain said while talking to media on Monday after a workshop on organic food and health, avenues of innovation and entrepreneurship organised by the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST).
Pakistan's exports unlikely to reach 2018 target
He said currently all economic indicators for Pakistan were positive and the economy was performing satisfactorily.
The minister, while addressing the workshop earlier, appreciated the role of PCST in providing a platform for creating awareness of the dire issue.
Hussain assured the audience that the science and technology ministry was committed to supporting every effort aimed at promoting scientific awareness in the country, which would improve living standards, economic development and prosperity of the nation.
“Besides raising health standards of our society, organic food has the potential to alleviate poverty by providing large-scale employment to unskilled and semi-skilled labour force,” he remarked.
Hussain stressed that the organic food industry played a very positive role in addressing the health challenges posed by the changing lifestyle and growing stress of modern competitive life.
Ministry that set up $35b export target says it is no longer possible
Speaking on the occasion, PCST Chairman Dr Anwarul Hassan Gilani pointed out that the workshop brought together scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, organic farmers and members of civil society to share ideas and knowledge about various aspects of organic food and health.
He said the workshop shed further light on exploring the full potential of funding opportunities for the organic food sector. He also shared his research experience in functional foods as an effective and safe remedy for diseases like diabetes and heart problems.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2016.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (2)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ