Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: Chairman of United Business Group in the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shahzad Ali Malik said surplus crops of maize and rice would be exported to new destinations, including the African market, to earn direly much-needed foreign exchange.
Addressing the one-day Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference at Rahim Yar Khan Chamber, he stressed the urgent need for establishing import substitution industries in Pakistan without loss of time to narrow down a yawning trade deficit and, on the other hand equally emphasized the vital importance of adding the new product in the exports basket rather than relying on surgical and textile, etc.
“Vast scope of exports to African nations”
Shahzad Ali Malik said there was a vast scope of exports to African nations, and new international markets must be explored on top priority, which he said would help stabilize a balance of payment.
The use of hi-tech hybrid seed resulted in bumper crops of rice and maize
He said that the use of hi-tech hybrid seed resulted in bumper crops of rice and maize, and its credit goes to the local sector, which invented fresh disease-resistant and pest-free varieties to raise yield per acre. He has stressed the need to evolve the latest hi-tech hybrid seeds for other fields of wheat, cotton, and sugarcane.
He noted that Pakistan’s economy was agro-based and Pakistan imports nearly 14 billion dollars in edible oil, cotton oil seeds, and wheat annually, which he said can be brought to zero level if the federal government keenly focuses on the promotion of the agriculture sector on latest scientific lines taking all stakeholders into confidence.
Shahzad Ali Malik said that if the federal government takes care of its recommendations and proposals in letter and spirit, it would not only bring agricultural revolution in Pakistan but surplus agri products could be exported at high global rates.
He said that if half of the same amount spent on importing agro-based products is invested in the country’s farmers, growers, and peasants, it would not only comfortably meet the food staple need of the fast-growing population, but surplus could be exported.
Nearly 50 presidents of industries and chambers of commerce across the country participated in the conference and presented their viable proposals. He thanked the president Rahim Yar Khan Chamber Iqbal for hosting the conference and lauded the group chairman Rauf Mukhtar’ efforts making the event a success. — APP
