The second edition of FoodAg 2024, a flagship event of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Ministry of Commerce, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. He was accompanied by the Minister of Commerce of Turkey, Prof. Dr Umar Bolat; Governor of Sindh, Mr Kamran Khan Tesuri; Chief Minister of Sindh, Mr Murad Ali Shah; Federal Minister of Commerce, Mr Jam Kamal Khan and Chief Executive, TDA, Mr Muhammad Zubair Moti. Vala and other prominent business personalities attended the Expo Center (Karachi) ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Food Egg is a special trade event organised by the Government of Pakistan. The event invites buyers worldwide to visit Pakistan, meet their business partners and see the full range of agricultural and food sector products offered by Pakistani companies to showcase their products. Can meet commercial needs. This year, more than 650 foreign buyers/importers from more than 70 countries are coming to participate in the event, while 330 exhibitors have presented their products at FoodAg 2024.
On this occasion, delegations from South Africa, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Malaysia held important meetings with Federal Minister of Commerce Mr Jam Kamal Khan, Chief Executive TDAP Mr Muhammad Zubair Motiwala and senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce. Regulatory officers from various countries also participated in the event to address quarantine and certification issues. TDAP has also organised government-to-government (G2G) meetings with its counterparts.
TDAP has also organised 2136 sector-specific B2B meetings between foreign buyers and local exhibitors, resulting in an estimated turnover of US$ 541 million on the first day. 14 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between foreign buyers and Pakistani exhibitors in the dairy, salt, food and beverage and confectionery sectors. On the first day of the event, regulatory authorities from Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Gambia, and Senegal met with heads of the Department of Plant Protection, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), Pakistan Halal Authority, and Animal Quarantine Department. An international food cuisine was also organised to promote the taste and aroma of Pakistani food for the foreign delegates.
Foreign delegates from the Russian fishing sector visited Korangi Fish Harbor and inspected the processing plants there. Given the high quality of these processing units, they expressed great satisfaction with the standards and procedures established in these facilities. This recognition of our high standards is a source of pride for Pakistan and a testament to our commitment to quality.
The event will play an important role in improving the country’s identity and promoting economic activities in general, especially for the agricultural and food export-oriented community. The show will continue for the next two days, 10 and 11 August 2024, and the last day will also be open to the general public.
APP adds that Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan hailed the 2nd FoodAg 2024 exhibition as a resounding success, citing the participation of many delegations and companies from 70 countries. He made these remarks while speaking to the media after meeting with international delegations on the event’s first day at the Expo Center.
According to Jam Kamal Khan, the event drew 600 to 700 delegations from 65 to 70 countries, encompassing various companies, business owners, and traders. He emphasised the significance of FoodAg for Pakistan’s agriculture sector, stating, “This exhibition is crucial for farmers, agri-businessmen, and everyone involved in agriculture.”
“Delegates informed me that in some cases, the number of participating companies has tripled compared to last year,” Jam Kamal Khan said. He further mentioned that the influx of visitors has led to a shortage of hotel rooms in Karachi, underscoring the event’s impact on domestic trade.
The minister expressed optimism that the exhibition will foster stronger trade relations between Pakistan and the participating countries. He highlighted the positive feedback from foreign delegations, who were reportedly satisfied with the event’s organisation and potential for boosting bilateral trade. This reassurance from our international partners is a testament to the event’s success and positive impact on our trade relations.
