ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The leaders of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Chambers of Commerce applauded the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda Toir, for his initiatives to boost Halal Meat exports.
While speaking to media, Atif Ikram Sheikh, the President of the Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that there are vast opportunities in the “Halal Meat” sector, mentioning Pakistan’s plan to export 143,000 tons to Tajikistan worth $14.5 million, which would not only broaden the trade in halal products but also increase the overall trade between the two regional countries.
The President of FPCCI remarked that the volume of bilateral trade could be up to $500 million in the next few years, with the business communities of both countries facilitating the linking of potential sectors.
Furthermore, the President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, stated that Tajikistan is a significant trade partner of Pakistan, and the “Halal flow and agri-Products” sectors are among the sectors with the largest potential.
Current Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda Toir, according to him, has been a partner in enhancing the trading relationship between the two countries and also giving a vision for future economic ties of both sides.
The focus will be on the export of Halal meat mainly to cater to the demand of Tajikistan, which had previously shown interest in about 100,000 tons, he said.
The President of ICCI pointed out that it is part of the overall efforts to increase the two-way trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan to $500 million, through better trade facilitation, logistics, and possible preferential trade agreements.
Additionally, the two nations not only intertwined their commercial activities but also initiated a new stage in the educational cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the exchange of students and teachers, especially regarding medical education.
Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, the president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Tajikistan is the need of the hour for trade liberalization between the two countries, and that the emphasized role of trade liberalization in the process of regional economic integration should not be overlooked.
The president of LCCI went on to say that the reinstatement of direct air travel between the two countries will be a major factor not just in strengthening the economic and commercial ties but also in enhancing the cultural relations between the two countries.
He indicated that continuing such flights would have a positive effect on the whole economic and commercial chain and help in making Pakistan and Tajikistan more appealing to each other’s tourists.
In an interview with state owned media, Usman Shaukat, the president of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), said that Tajikistan continues to be an important trade partner for Pakistan, as it is necessary for the integration of economies in the region and the Central Asian countries like Tajikistan are of great importance to Pakistan with both sides ready to make even stronger future connections in trade and economy.
He highly appreciated Tajikistan’s impressive 8% annual GDP growth and pointed out that it is imperative for the business community of the two countries to exchange business delegations frequently in order to build up economic relations.
It is worth noting that the policy is intended not only to ensure high quality of livestock and halal meat but also contribute to Pakistan’s share in the global halal market, especially in the Muslim-majority countries, by enhancing livestock production, cold storage, and meeting international standards.
Pakistani meat industry produces up to six million tons of halal meat annually, out of which a certain amount is set aside for local consumption, and the remaining is ready for export as surplus.
