Pakistani mission in Netherlands hosts mango festival

Ambassador Tarar welcomed guests and highlighted 75 years of dynamic Pakistan-Netherlands bilateral relations

The country's mission in the Netherlands organised the Pakistani Mango Festival in the Hague to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

The event was attended by ambassadors, members of the diplomatic community, Dutch officials, and members of the Dutch and Pakistani business communities, said the statement.

Ambassador Karin Mossenlechener, Director of Asia & Oceania Department at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs was a special guest from the Dutch side.

Ambassador Suljuk Mustansar Tarar welcomed the guests and highlighted 75 years of dynamic Pakistan-Netherlands bilateral relations which cover political, trade, education, water management, capacity development and many other facets.

The Pakistani diplomat elaborated the economic and trade content of the relations saying that bilateral trade between the two countries increased in the last few years to more than $2 billion. The Dutch companies are among the key investors in Pakistan.

"Over the long period of time, the Dutch businesses and market has long-held confidence in Pakistani market, manufacturers and exporters."

Highlighting the uniqueness of Pakistani mangoes, Ambassador Tarar said Pakistan is the 6th largest producer and the 4th largest exporter of mangoes in the world which are exported across the world and the Netherlands is an important growing market.

Ambassador Suljuk informed that Pakistani experts through extensive research and development (R&D) have succeeded in making many improvements in the traditional chaunsa variety and developed its commercial sub-types viz. Safaid chaunsa, Azeem chaunsa, black chaunsa and late chaunsa etc, added the statement.

The guests were also served Pakistani Biryani made from Pakistani Basmati rice, Tarar informed the audience that Pakistan is the top supplier of Basmati rice to the EU and the Netherlands as well.

In her remarks, Ambassador Karin mentioned that bilateral relations have been consistently progressing in all areas. She remarked that different activities have been organised by both sides to celebrate the landmark year. She elaborated through the history of bilateral relations how the two countries stood with each other in times of natural disasters.

She mentioned that in 1953 when the Netherlands faced floods and Pakistanis raised funds. Highlighting the importance of people-to-people contact, Ambassador Karin Mossenlechener also appreciated the leveraging of Pakistani arts and culture by the Pakistan Embassy.

Among others, Ambassadors of China, Japan, South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, Greece, Romania, Malaysia, Kuwait, Uruguay, Dominica, Oman, New Zeeland, Surinam, Bosnia, Costa Rica, Cameroon, Panama, Bangladesh, Dutch Special Envoy on Agriculture, and the retired diplomats participated in the event.

The guests were served fresh Chaunsa mangoes, delicacies made of Pakistani mangos and Pakistani basmati rice biryani.

The event was organized with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan which provided mangoes for the occasion and support of the Netherlands-based leading Diplomat magazine.