Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has introduced the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy, with the goal of harnessing the nation’s olive potential to boost economic prosperity. Speaking at the launch event, he highlighted the significant annual expenditure of four billion dollars on imported edible oil and expressed optimism that enhanced domestic production could lead to savings of four hundred million dollars within a year.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized the potential for Pakistan to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil in the near future. He acknowledged the Italian Government’s role in promoting olive cultivation and suggested that Pakistan should concentrate on oil production, processing, and value addition. Additionally, the Prime Minister proposed sending 100 young agricultural graduates to Italy to gain expertise in various aspects of the olive industry.

Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Ugo Ciarlatani also spoke at the event, noting the longstanding partnership between Italy and Pakistan, which spans over seven decades and includes cooperation in agriculture, science, education, trade, and security. He highlighted that the National Olive Value Chain Policy is a result of years of collaboration, including the 100-million-dollar Pakistan-Italy Debt Swap Programme, which facilitated the establishment of olive orchards nationwide.

Ambassador Ciarlatani pointed out that Pakistan now boasts over seven million olive plants, thanks in part to Italy’s Olive Culture Project, which has supported laboratories, nurseries, business groups, and training for over 700 stakeholders. He also mentioned Italy’s support for Pakistan’s technical and vocational education through a 20-million-euro capacity-building programme focused on high-value agriculture, including olive cultivation and production. The Ambassador expressed hope that the new policy would transform Pakistan’s olive sector into a thriving agro-industry, benefiting various segments of the population and strengthening bilateral relations between Italy and Pakistan.