Pakistan and Argentina have great potential to enhance cooperation in agriculture sector for achieving mutually beneficial results, say Rodolfo Martin Saravia, Ambassador of Argentina while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Rodolfo said Argentina could also support Pakistan with technology transfer and expertise for agriculture development and increasing per acre yield, which has great impact for Pakistan’s economy. He said 50-60 companies of Argentina are participating in GULF FOOD 2014 Expo being held at Dubai from February 23-27, 2014 and stressed that maximum number of Pakistani entrepreneurs should attend that Expo.
Both President ICCI and Argentinian Ambassador were of the view that Pakistan’s close proximity to the lucrative market of Middle East remains untapped for export of food, dairy and meat products. Improving the standards, quality, hygiene and packaging which Argentina can help Pakistani exporters with, can result in up to 5 times gains to the current rates of returns for the Pakistan economy and help improving the balance of payment deficit of the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan has cheap & quality labour and good agricultural land while Argentina has advanced technology and expertise, therefore, both countries should explore Joint Ventures in agriculture field to complement each other. He said cost of production in Pakistan is reasonable and many Middle Eastern countries are planning to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. He said Argentina should also explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially in agriculture, livestock and other sectors which offer lucrative returns to investors.
He said both countries should encourage private sectors connectivity, enhance exchange of trade delegations and organize exhibitions in each other country that will help in improving bilateral trade and economic relations up to the potential. He said ICCI would also consider taking a business delegation to South American countries including Argentina to identify new areas of collaboration.
