Al-Kuwari: Key partnership

By Peter Alagos
Business Reporter


Pakistan is looking towards enhancing its halal meat industry to strengthen its bilateral trade relationship with Qatar, an official of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry said.
Vice-president Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi told Gulf Times that annual trade volume between Qatar and Pakistan is less than $300mn.
“There is a lot of trade in halal meat but Pakistan only has a minimal share from the global halal food industry, which stands at $3tn.
“We want to tap the poultry and meat businesses here in Qatar, as well as those in the fresh fruits and vegetable sector, which is why we hope to have a productive meeting with our Qatari counterparts,” said Ghaznavi after yesterday’s meeting with Qatar Chamber officials led by vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari.
According to the US Consulate General in Lahore, “Pakistan’s meat industry, estimated at $115mn, has great potential for growth.”
“It remains underutilised as the calves are not retained by the farmers or fattened with appropriate feed, leading to low quality production of beef. Pakistani meat exporters are unable to capitalise on the advantages of the halal meat industry due to limitations of indigenous beef breeds and lack of corporate farming. Investment in feedlot fattening can help raise calves for quality beef production and help increase meat exports from the country,” it added.
Aside from halal meat, Ghaznavi said the export of rice, wheat, fresh fruits, and vegetables could also help increase bilateral trade volume between the two countries. He said major companies like Big Bird Group are among the members of the Pakistani delegation, who are set to meet with Qatari companies such as Hassad Food.
“Some members of the delegation intend to open offices in Doha, which is why we are looking forward to signing agreements with our Qatari counterparts,” he said.
Ghaznavi also said the opening of Pakistan’s second liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, which is being built at the Port Qasim in Karachi would help increase bilateral trade volume of the two countries.
“Our country is experiencing an energy shortage, and once we increase our LNG imports from Qatar, I hope the energy crisis will settle down in Pakistan. Once this second terminal is completed, LNG from Qatar will definitely increase,” he explained.
Citing improvements in Pakistan’s peace and order situation, Ghaznavi invited al-Kuwari to send a Qatari business delegation to Lahore and explore business opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries.
Meanwhile, al-Kuwari welcomed Ghaznavi’s invitation and said: “Pakistan is an important country to us. Aside from Qatar’s LNG exports, we need to discuss other services or products to be imported from Pakistan such as food or raw materials, and even in industry,” al-Kuwari noted.