Pakistan, Saudi Arabia explore joint ventures in meat and livestock
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday they want to turn political ties into economic and agricultural cooperation. The food security minister proposed Saudi investment in slaughterhouses and livestock farms through joint ventures.
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- Food security minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met Saudi Ambassador Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy on Tuesday.
- Seventeen of 31 Pakistani slaughterhouses have received Saudi approval after a technical assessment.
- A joint technical team has been set up to advance cooperation in priority areas.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia expressed commitment on Tuesday to turning strong political ties into tangible economic and agricultural cooperation, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
The commitment came at a meeting between Pakistan's Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy. The meeting aimed to explore stronger bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock, trade and investment, and covered follow-up on a recent visit by the Saudi Minister of Agriculture.
A joint technical team has been established to advance cooperation in priority areas. The meeting discussed nine such areas, including rice, meat and livestock, green fodder and dry camel milk.
Pakistan said it is ready to increase agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia, particularly Basmati rice, halal meat, livestock products and green fodder. Pakistani rice currently makes up around 10 percent of Saudi rice imports, compared with about 90 percent from India. Both sides agreed to address challenges of quality, competitiveness, supply volumes, packaging and commercial requirements to raise Pakistan's market share. They also discussed Pakistani participation in Saudi agricultural exhibitions and promotional activities for Pakistani Basmati rice.
On meat, Pakistan said it is ready to expand halal supplies to Saudi Arabia. Seventeen of 31 Pakistani slaughterhouses have received approval following a Saudi technical assessment. The minister proposed Saudi investment in modern, high-capacity slaughterhouses and livestock farms through joint ventures with Pakistani business groups.
The Saudi Ambassador said Saudi Arabia is willing to increase its procurement of Pakistani agricultural products, subject to internationally competitive standards of quality, pricing, quantity and packaging. He assured the Embassy's support in coordinating with the relevant Saudi authorities and resolving outstanding issues.
Both sides stressed private-sector engagement, business-to-business partnerships and investment opportunities. They agreed to use the recently established technical mechanism to address trade and regulatory bottlenecks.
Why it matters
Pakistan's meat, rice and livestock exporters stand to gain if Saudi approvals and investment widen their access to the Saudi market. The joint ventures could create jobs and expand exports.
