Islamabad: In a bid to transform its agriculture sector into a powerhouse for high-value exports, Pakistan has initiated a strategic dialogue to shift focus from raw commodities to value-added, certified, and branded exports. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized the need for this transition during a recent session, urging stakeholders to collaborate with the government on a comprehensive export roadmap.
According to Press Information Department, the dialogue, part of the Strategic Dialogue Series on Unlocking Pakistan’s High-Value Export Potential, saw participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, including federal and provincial institutions, universities, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and exporters. The session, moderated by Dr. Sohaib S. Hassan, aimed to formulate actionable solutions to enhance Pakistan’s agricultural export capacity and align it with the nation’s economic goals.
Minister Iqbal highlighted that agriculture, despite contributing significantly to the country’s GDP and labor force, remains underrepresented in export markets. He stressed the importance of meeting premium market requirements, such as compliance and certification, and identified livestock as a key area of potential growth. The Minister also advocated for modern agricultural practices, utilizing technology and cooperative models, to increase productivity.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industry, Rana Ahsan, outlined several measures to support the transition, including revising the Export Policy Order, increasing export finance, and establishing a National Compliance Authority. The session also reviewed the current state of food exports, which saw moderate growth in certain sectors despite an overall decline.
Participants proposed various initiatives, such as tax reforms, disease control programs for livestock, and the development of national organic standards, to address existing challenges. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research emphasized the need for provincial cooperation in implementing existing livestock export frameworks.
Minister Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating private sector growth and ensuring policy continuity. He announced that the dialogue would continue as a collaborative forum, with stakeholders set to reconvene in three months to assess progress on the proposed initiatives. The overarching goal remains clear: to enhance Pakistan’s agricultural exports and contribute significantly to the country’s ambitious economic targets.