FAISALABAD: Development of Agriculture value chain is imperative for the successful economic development of Pakistan. In this connection, Australia is already helping Pakistan for the processing of exotic Pakistani fruit mango while value chain related projects for other crops could also be initiated in next phase of bilateral cooperation, said Margaret Adamson High Commissioner of Australia in Pakistan.
She was addressing a meeting at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) which was also attended by her spouse.
The High Commissioner said that Pakistan and Australia are both agriculture countries. Australia lacks human resource, however, it has developed value chain of its agriculture products with modern and latest technologies and it was in this context that Australia was exporting its high value agriculture products throughout the world. He also termed agriculture development necessary for the food security of Pakistan and said that Australia has been extending Pakistan in this important sector. He said that Australia has also developed its dairy and livestock sectors and we are ready to share our experience with Pakistani counterparts for the enhancements of its milk and meat production.
Regarding education sector, she said that Australian government was extending liberal scholarships to the Pakistani students and at the moment more than 15000 students are studying in various universities of Australia. She said that in view of specific need of Pakistan, Australia can also help Pakistan in capacity building by launching short courses relating to the technical and vocational education.
Margaret Adamson further said that successful economic development is directly related with the private sector. She said the role of government is only to provide regulatory framework and help private sector to contribute its role in the overall development of that country. She said that there were also bright prospects of cooperation in the fields of tourism, hospitality, energy, renewable energy, Information technology and research & development projects. She also underlined the importance of Faisalabad as textile hub of Pakistan and said that local entrepreneurs should now focus on the development of fashion garments industry which can fetch billions of dollars from the Australia as well as other western countries.
Earlier, Acting President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain welcomed Ms. Margaret Adamson and said that Pakistan and Australia enjoyed cordial relations and have common perception about most of the international political and economic issues. He particularly mentioned Australia’s generous support for the rehabilitation of flood and earthquake affectees and also lauded cooperation and assistance in the fields of education, agriculture and vocational training.
He said that Australia is home to 30,000 Pakistani communities and also provides scholarships to Pakistani students every year to study at Master Level in Australia.
Jameel Ahmed Vice President FCCI said that the trade between the two countries is growing but still not up to the mark. The bilateral trade during 2014 was $ 503.7 million where Pakistan’s exports were US$ 167.2 million against imports of US$ 336.5 million, from Australia which is in favor of Australia.
He further said that Australian companies could explore the vast potential for investment in different sectors like energy, agriculture mechanization, dairy development and technological assistance. He said that Pakistan is facing energy crisis hence there is huge investment potential for Australian Companies in hydel, coal, solar, wind and renewable energy sectors.
He suggested exchange of business delegations composed of sector-specific participants or product-specific group of entrepreneurs on regular basis to enhance bilateral trade.
He further suggested that single country exhibitions should be held at reciprocal basis in both the countries. He asked the High Commissioner to play his role for signing of MOU between FCCI and Important Chambers of Commerce in Australia, to establish chamber to chamber links for the promotion of bilateral trade.
He said that Faisalabad is the third largest city of Pakistan and is also known as textile capital of the country. He underlined its economic importance and demanded that an Honorary Commercial Counselor of Australia should be appointed in Faisalabad.