Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, led Pakistan's delegation at the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Food Security and Agricultural Cooperation held in Tehran, achieving a major breakthrough in transforming Pakistan-Iran trade relations in the agriculture sector.
According to a statement from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFSR) released on Monday, the minister was accompanied by the director general of the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and the joint secretary of MNFSR. The meeting was co-chaired by his Iranian counterpart, Gholamreza Nourozi, and attended by senior representatives of key ministries, research institutions, and trade authorities from both countries.
Hussain secured Iran's agreement to source a major portion of its rice imports from Pakistan. Both government procurements and private sector imports will now rely primarily on Pakistani rice, opening a consistent and stable export market for Pakistan. Addressing longstanding challenges faced by fruit exporters, the minister obtained firm assurances for resolving hurdles in mango exports, particularly delays in import permits and foreign exchange allocations. With these measures in place, exports of Pakistani mangoes to Iran are set to rise substantially.
The minister also prioritised Pakistan's livestock and meat sector in the discussions. Iran agreed to focus on Pakistan as a principal supplier and to ensure that around 60% of its meat procurements are sourced from Pakistan. Similarly, Iran agreed to import large volumes of maize from Pakistan, with a commitment to resolve technical and procedural issues on priority and within the shortest possible time.
Recognising the need for science-driven solutions in agriculture, the statement adds that both sides agreed to enhance cooperation between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Iranian research institutions. This collaboration will cover key areas of mutual advantage, including crop research, livestock breeding, water management, and innovation for farmers' benefit.
The minister further secured consensus on a wide range of facilitation measures aimed at easing agricultural trade. These included faster customs clearance, the establishment of warehouses and cold chain systems, and improvements in border infrastructure to ensure perishable commodities reach markets efficiently and in prime quality. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to moving towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), providing a long-term framework for expanding bilateral agricultural trade.
To ensure that these historic decisions are implemented effectively, a Joint Committee on Agricultural Cooperation was formally established. The committee will meet every six months to review progress, resolve emerging issues, and maintain the momentum of cooperation.
Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain thanked the Government of Iran for its constructive approach and warm hospitality. He highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to strengthen trade ties with neighbouring countries and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to being a reliable partner in food security and agricultural development. He termed the outcome of the meeting a turning point for both countries, creating new opportunities for farmers, traders, and agribusinesses. He also extended a formal invitation to Minister Nourozi to visit Pakistan to further consolidate this positive momentum, reads the statement.
Both sides signed a Joint Communiqué at the end of the meeting, reflecting their shared resolve to implement the decisions taken today and opening a new chapter in Pakistan-Iran cooperation in agriculture and trade.
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