+ A
A -
Maneesh Bakshi
Doha
PAKISTAN can be an excellent trading partner of Qatar in meeting most of its food security needs in the long run by becoming a reliable and quality exporter of the booming agro-food industry, according to Arshad Mehmood, the chairman of Pak-Qatar Business Council.
Mehmood was speaking at the opening of the two-day 'Pakistan Agro-Food Festival' organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in partnership with Pakistan Qatar Business Forum (PQBF) and Pakistan-based Pak-Qatar Business Council (PQBC) with support of the Embassy of Pakistan in Qatar.
The festival themed 'Taste of Pakistan Delicacies' was attended by representatives of major food chains like Al Meera and Lulu Hypermarkets in Qatar as well as members of the visiting delegation of exporters of agro-products such as rice, mangoes and meat, among others.
Addressing the gathering, President of PQBF Ahmad Hussain said,"The objective of the festival was to demonstrate Pakistan's potential in terms of its agro-based food products like rice, fruits and meat which are best known for taste, quality and variety to our potential stakeholders and importers."
Guests were invited to taste juicy mangoes followed by a delicious dinner Pakistani chef Naveed of Zaoq restaurant had prepared from Pakistani Basmati rice and meat.
On his part, Arbab Qaiser Hamid, commercial secretary of Pakistan Embassy in Qatar, described the agro-products as unique with a special taste and quality due to its tropical climate.
With regard to trade opportunities between Qatar and Pakistan, Hamid invited Qatari traders to visit Pakistan and"survey the vast opportunity that exist in the country's agro sector". He stressed that Pakistan is known for its high quality products at competitive rates.
A total of 2,400-kg of neatly packed mangoes were brought from Pakistan for this event and were distributed to the public for free as a promotional exercise. The two-day event also witnessed business meetings between Qatari traders and Pakistani exporters.
A quiz competition, mango tasting sessions and a cultural show by Pakistani artists were some of the highlights of the festival. Quiz contest winners received gift packs containing juicy mangoes.
Other guests present at the event were Wajahad Hashmi, deputy head of the Pakistan's mission in Qatar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar HE Dr WM Karunadasa, Chairman of Belgium Business Club in Qatar Luk Kelles and Turgut Dizdaroglu of Turkish-Businessmen Association-Qatar.
