Islamabad: Pakistan and Portugal have agreed to enhance their collaboration in the olive sector, focusing on cultivation and production, during a high-level meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and attended by Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Miguel Guedes Domingues. The discussions centered on agricultural cooperation and technology exchange, aiming to boost Pakistan’s olive industry.
According to Press Information Department, both nations emphasized the importance of joint efforts in olive cultivation, oil production, and technology transfer. Hussain highlighted the success of his recent visit to Portugal, noting the advanced machinery and expertise in Portugal’s olive sector. He expressed interest in sending Pakistani experts to Portugal for training, while inviting Portuguese specialists to assess local conditions in Pakistan for potential collaboration.
The dialogue also touched upon the potential visit of Portugal’s Agriculture Minister to Pakistan, where further progress in agricultural cooperation and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are anticipated. The proposal for a Pakistan-Portugal Joint Working Group on Olive Cooperation aims to prioritize areas for collaboration, facilitate expert exchanges, and promote investment in the olive value chain.
Hussain pointed to Pakistan’s potential in developing climate-resilient olive varieties, suitable for the country’s challenging environmental conditions. He urged Portuguese investors to explore opportunities in Pakistani olive oil extraction and processing, emphasizing quality control and international standards to boost competitiveness in global markets.
Ambassador Domingues acknowledged Pakistan’s growing potential in olive cultivation and stressed the need for stronger institutional and private-sector links between the two countries. Both sides concurred that enhanced cooperation in technology, training, research, and market development could significantly advance Pakistan’s olive oil industry.