ISLAMABAD: National Food Security ministry hoped its proposed collaboration with the UAE would result in establishing modern processing plants and increasing value addition to boost the country’s date exports.
National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain held a virtual meeting with a UAE delegation to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the date sector, the food ministry said in a statement. Both sides reviewed potential areas of collaboration and investment to boost Pakistan’s date exports.
Hussain shared during the meeting that Pakistan’s annual production of dates has reached over half a million tons, which is cultivated on more than 100,000 hectares of land. He stressed that major date producing regions include Balochistan and Sindh, where popular varieties such as Aseel, Muzawati, Dhakki, Rabbi, Begum Jangi, Karbala and Khudri are grown.
“The Federal Secretary, Ameer Muhyuddin, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to translating this cooperation into tangible results,” the statement said.
“He emphasized that the proposed collaboration with the UAE would help in establishing modern date processing plants, improving value addition, and enhancing Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global market.”
Hussain pointed out that Pakistan’s date exports, valued at over $50 million, have shown “remarkable expansion,” while shipment data reflects a significant rise in export volumes and diversification of international buyers.
He also spoke about the challenges confronting the date industry, including Pakistan’s earlier dependence on a single export market, limited value addition, quality and SPS compliance issues.
Simisola Nicola Abere, representing the UAE delegation, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in developing the date sector and announced the UAE would expedite the process for the establishment of three processing plants in Pakistan.
“She added that both sides would formalize their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and relevant UAE authorities,” the food security ministry said.
“This MoU would serve as the foundation for joint projects in value addition, technology transfer, and export enhancement.”
Hussain said that through such partnerships, Pakistan could enhance its export earnings, create new employment opportunities and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
