Chinese govt to import potato, cherry and wheat from Pakistan, says ambassador

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said on Friday that China wanted to increase its import of potato, cherry and wheat, strengthening economy and bilateral trade between both the countries.

The Ambassador of China called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan and discussed matters related to promote bilateral trade and cooperation in different sectors of economy including agriculture and livestock.

The ambassador said that the Chinese government would also formally invite Pakistani experts to monitor the hybrid rice seed production at the facility to enhance its local output of the crop and promoting its exports.

Speaking at the occasion, the federal minister said that Pakistan and China were members of various organisations and being members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Pakistan had endorsed agreement on cooperation in agriculture with the member states.

He said China produces food for 20 percent of the world’s population and it also imports huge quantity of food for its population.

China is a strong force in the South Asian region and China Pakistan Economic Corridor opened up new venues of cooperation between the two friendly neighbours, he added.

The minister said that China is the fourth largest export market of Pakistan, adding that it was heartening that both countries have signed free trade agreement (FTA) which has facilitated to expand bilateral trade.

He further said that the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit in the first week of November, 2018 was very important as both sides signed MoU on agriculture. The visit was followed by Chinese delegation’s visit to the Ministry of National Food Security.

Federal Minister Mehboob Sultan said that the government was collaborating with China in achieving Foot and Mouth Disease free zone and the matter is under negotiation.

He added that Pakistan believes in ease of doing business and the elimination of FMD will help boost our meat export to China.

Mehboob Sultan extended his invitation to Chinese experts to visit the three districts of Punjab which are identified as FMD free zone.

Sultan said that he aspires that both countries in the coming joint Working Group meeting discuss establishing FMD vaccine plant in Pakistan with the Chinese assistance and move towards self-reliance in the matter.