US keen to expand agritrade with Pakistan

Considers giving access to beef market, introducing cotton seed technology

ISLAMABAD:

United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome says he looks forward to expanding agricultural trade between the two countries, and was also looking into allowing Pakistan access to the US beef market.

The comments were made when the ambassador called upon Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema to discuss matters of mutual interest on Wednesday.

Highlighting the challenges being faced by the country due to the floods, the minister said, “Our priority is to recover as much agricultural land as possible and help displaced citizens resettle.”

Empathising with the plight of the people, Blome said that the US government is increasing the flood assistance package for Pakistan and that, “The people of the United States stand with Pakistan”.

He said that apart from the assistance, he looks forward to expanding agricultural trade between the two countries and building stronger relations.

He said the US is considering allowing Pakistan access to the US beef market.

The ambassador also expressed his interest in working with Pakistan’s agriculture sector. He said that the US is looking forward to introducing high-yield cotton seed technology in Pakistan.

The minister welcomed the initiative and said that in the recent floods cotton and dates were the most affected.

Highlighting that Pakistan is among the top 10 countries affected by climate change, the ambassador said that the US has a substantial commitment to address climate change through resilience and mitigation.