Pakistan to host first international date festival in October

Agreement between UAE and TDAP paves the way for the festival, aims to enhance date exports and global trade ties

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Pakistan is set to host the first-ever international date festival in October, following an agreement signed between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

The announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement issued by the UAE Consulate in Karachi.

While Pakistan imports various types of dates from the Middle East, particularly to meet the high demand during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the country is also a significant producer of dates. 

Key regions such as Khairpur in Sindh and Turbat and Panjgur in Balochistan yield large quantities of dates, offering substantial export potential.

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“An agreement has been reached between the UAE Embassy and TDAP’s Chief Executive Zubair Motiwala for organising the first international date festival in Pakistan,” the UAE Consulate’s statement read.

The festival is scheduled to take place on October 24, 2024, and is expected to attract participants from around the globe. UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi, described the event as a unique opportunity to showcase and promote Pakistani dates on an international platform.

Al-Zaabi expressed optimism that the festival would not only enhance the export of Pakistani dates but also significantly contribute to the national economy. “This festival will provide an important opportunity to enhance economic relations between the two countries and promote date production,” he stated.

“Various business personalities will participate in the event, sharing different types of dates and their production methods,” it added.