Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed has said that mutual trade between the Netherlands and Pakistan has increased more than 20 percent in last two years due to business friendly policies of the government. He said that Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agriculture produce in the world so there is a great scope for further collaboration between the two countries in this sector. He asked the Dutch investors to invest in the dairy farming and establish milk processing plants in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan exports best quality Basmati Rice, Mangoes and Citrus to the Netherlands and its trade volume can be increased. He said that Pakistan has the potential to export Halal Meat all over the world.
The Minister expressed these views while presiding over the Agri Trade Conference arranged by the Embassy of the Netherlands and Punjab Board of Investment and Trade, here in Avari today. Director of International Enterprise at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Head of Trade Mission Mr. Rene Van Hell, CEO of PBIT Mrs. Amena Cheema, VC UAF, Dr. Iqrar Ahmad, Secretary Livestock Punjab Mr. Naseem Sadiq, DG Agriculture Extension Dr. Anjum Ali, representatives of 9 Dutch Agri Business companies and Agri Business representatives from Punjab were also present n the occasion. The Netherlands Head of Trade mission Mr. Rene Van Hell said that we value our bilateral relation with Pakistan and there is a lot of room for enhancement in mutual trade. He lauded the business friendly policies of Punjab government and showed interest in investing in Punjab agriculture and livestock sector. Dr. Farrukh Javed said that trade volume between Netherlands and Pakistan is expected to reach USD 1 billion this year and there is a lot of room for improving that. He said that Pakistan can benefit from the latest research and knowledge of our friends from the Netherlands. He said that Pakistan is world’s fourth largest producer of milk and we need to work on milk processing units. Dr. Farrukh Javed said that government is trying to find new markets for our quality agriculture products.