China, Pakistan agree to strengthen agri-cooperation
PHOTO: FILE
Experts from China and Pakistan on Friday agreed to strengthen the agricultural cooperative partnership.
Speaking at the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Belt and Road Initiative Agriculture Cooperation and Exchange Conference held in Shanghai, Pakistan’s Consul General in Shanghai Hussain Haider said that Pakistan’s exports to China were increasing.
He cherished that export of rice to Beijing broke previous records during the first nine months of 2021.
He was of the view that the forum would help deepen bilateral partnership in agriculture, modernise Pakistan’s agriculture sector, alleviate poverty and improve the livelihood of the masses.
Shanghai Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Deputy Director Ye Junping remarked that Pakistan and China were all-weather friends and stressed that CPEC had enhanced people-to-people links.
Liu Xiangdong, Deputy Director of Agriculture Trade Promotion Centre at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China, pointed out that a large number of Pakistanis was affiliated with the agriculture sector.
“Chinese technology companies can help Pakistani farmers improve production by using smart technologies and new techniques,” he said.
Ministry of National Food Security Joint Secretary Dr Javed Humayun mentioned that CPEC was the landmark achievement of both sides and the large-scale project had opened fresh avenues and opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Read Govt for strengthening agriculture
He said that Pakistan had launched various initiatives to not only enhance the productivity of crops and livestock but also to lift the livelihoods of people. According to him, these initiatives were the first of their kind and presented an excellent opportunity of collaboration between federal and provincial governments to get the desired results.
“The economy of Pakistan is mainly dependent on the agriculture sector, which employs more than 39% of the total labour force of the country,” he said. “Besides its contribution as a major employer, this sector is also central to our economy as it is a source of raw material for many industries including textile and leather.”
He was of the view that agriculture would be among key areas of cooperation under CPEC.
He added that Chinese businessmen and local private sector firms could jointly explore opportunities to take benefit of the incentives being offered by the government of Pakistan for establishing joint ventures.
Pakistan Agriculture Research Council Social Sciences Division member Ghulam Sadiq was confident that a large number of youth would be engaged in joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani business firms in future.
The article originally appeared on the China Economic Net
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2021.
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