ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari Monday said that there is a need to bring technology and innovation for the development of agriculture in Pakistan and to increase the export of the agricultural sector.
He expressed these views while talking to the head of World Food and Agriculture Organization Pakistan, Florence Rolle, who met him yesterday along with a delegation. On this occasion, the possibilities of cooperation between the two institutions were discussed.
Despite being an agricultural country, the annual import of goods worth billions of dollars is regrettable. Cooperation with international agencies and donors should be done for the development of agriculture.
ICCI president said that Pakistan being an agricultural country is very important for the world. About 18.5% of Pakistan’s Gross National Income (GDP) is comprised of agriculture64% of the rural population is employed in agriculture while about 43% of the total national labor force is in agriculture.
Pakistan is one of the 11 major countries in the world that have vast and fertile agricultural land. For the development of this sector, the government, private sector and other related institutions need to follow a coordinated policy together.
By adopting technology and innovation we can make Pakistan a food basket. He praised the World Food and Agriculture Organization for the promotion, improvement and problem solving of agriculture. He said that World Food and Agriculture Organization can use the platform of Islamabad Chamber for its activities and seminars.
Speaking during the meeting, World Food and Agriculture Organization Pakistan head Florence Rolle said that her organisation is working on several projects to bring innovation in the agriculture sector in Pakistan.
“We also want to work with the business community of Pakistan on other projects,” he said.
In this regard, Islamabad Chamber should play its role in linking with other chambers including FPCCI. In the meeting, MoU regarding cooperation between Islamabad Chamber and World Food and Agriculture Organization was discussed which will be signed soon.
Head of Operation of Food and Agriculture Organization, Chairman Founder Group Khalid Iqbal Malik, Secretary General United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawari and others participated in the meeting.
