Lahore (Web Desk): Livestock is an integral part of agriculture sector of the country and have the potential to get huge share in the international Halal trade of over $ 300 billion.
Government should formulate favorable policies for livestock which have 55.9 per cent and 11.8 per cent share in agriculture and GDP respectively. These views were exchanged between LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, who was heading a delegation to the Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company’s (PAMCO) sate-of-the art slaughter house, and PAMCO Chairman Mumtaz Khan Manais, on Friday.
LCCI Senior Vice President, Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil, former Presidents Mian Shafqat Ali, Muhammad Ali Mian, former Senior Vice President Mian Nauman Kabir, Mian Muhammad Nawaz, Aurangzeb Aslam, Khaliq Arshad, Bao Muhammad Bashir, Zafar Iqbal, Khamis Saeed Butt and Nadeem Qureshi also spoke on the occasion.
Chairman PAMCO gave detailed briefing to the LCCI delegation about PAMCO’s efforts and sought its help for promotion of Halal exports.
He said that PAMCO has engaged itself to enhance quality production, processing, value addition, marketing & supply chain of meat, livestock, agriculture products & by-products for local & export markets. He said that company was providing trainings & technica backstopping at all stages of the integrated meat & agriculture value chains.
He said that 6,000 small and 600 big animals were being slaughtered daily at the PAMCO’s slaughterhouse while meat was being processed hygienically by latest technology and modern machinery.
LCCI President, Malik Tahir Javaid lauded the performance and efforts of PAMCO for boosting the livestock sector and assured his full support the company saying that the LCCI was ready to hold seminars and workshop in collaboration with the PAMCO.
He said that despite various challenges, livestock sector was already actively contributing to the national economy, adding that livestock was the biggest economic activity in rural areas and major source of women empowerment. He said that livestock sector was producing its own energy by biogas.
He said that government should join head with private sector to secure huge share in international Hala trade. He said that demand of meat in the world would double in the next two decades and Pakistan has all resources to become a global leader in this particular sector.
He said that Halal food had become billions dollar global economy today, wherein Pakistan’s share was still insignificant. It is high time for Pakistan’s economy to get a boost by exploiting the untapped potential of Halal foods that has created a brand new Global Halal Economy in the world, he added.