Thai agri-business giant to set up halal meat farms

Company seeks cooperation in research and manpower.

FAISALABAD: CP Group, an agri-business giant of Thailand which has investments in 14 countries, has planned to invest and set up state-of-the-art animal feed, hatchery and halal meat farms in Faisalabad.

A delegation of the company visited the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Tuesday and held a meeting with Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad. They also examined four sites of the university for preparing a feasibility for establishing livestock farms there.

Officials of the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, Livestock Management Department Chairman Dr Muhammad Younas and other UAF officials were also present.

Khun Notthakrit Sivarsi, who was part of the Thai delegation, sought collaboration with the university in research, manpower and other areas for making the project a success. He said Pakistan, which was full of talented people, had great potential.

He said the project would not only serve as a model but would also provide training to local people, adding expertise from Thailand would be transferred to the farmers in order to polish their skills.

The UAF vice chancellor said Thailand was ranked one of the largest exporters of halal meat, adding Thai investment would open new avenues of employment in the country. He pointed out that Pakistan was enjoying all four weather seasons and producing a large number of livestock and crops.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2012.