Agriculture: Sindh expects exhibition to attract Rs2b business

Livestock, dairy, fisheries and poultry fair to start on March 1.

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Agriculture Sardar Ali Nawaz Khan Mahar and Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Jam Khan Shoro have said that upcoming livestock, dairy, fisheries, poultry and agriculture exhibition (LDFA-2014) is expected to bring a business of around Rs2 billion.

They stated this at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the exhibition that would be held at the Karachi Expo Centre on March 1-2.

According to the ministers, the previous exhibition led to signing of over Rs1 billion worth of agreements between investors in the livestock, fisheries and other sectors.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah will inaugurate the fair – an annual feature of the Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) and Government of Sindh.

Around 45% of employment in the country is generated by agriculture and about 70% of population is directly or indirectly linked with agriculture for their livelihood.

The ministers said the exhibition would open new markets for domestic and foreign companies and it was part of government’s endeavours for development of the economy.

This year, LDFA is expected to attract a lot more participants and visitors including diplomats, foreign and domestic businessmen and investors, banking and investment professionals, representatives of federal and provincial government ministries and departments.

The ministers said the agriculture, livestock, fisheries and culture departments of Sindh were working closely with the SBI and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to organise this grand event.

First day of the event will feature a seminar on “Sustaining economic growth by value addition and value chain in livestock, dairy, fisheries, poultry and agriculture products”. Academics, experts and entrepreneurs will give speeches and presentations on the subject.

Last year, around 500 delegates participated in the exhibition.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2014.

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