Round Table Discussion with Canadian High Commissioner

Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has said that in a joint effort, the Canadian High Commission & UAF have been agreed to collaborate to facilitate a discussion on the need for research & analysis on the benefits of trade for Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector with India and rest of the World. He was presiding over a meeting on Friday for the establishment of proposed International Center for Trade and Research. Referring the round table discussion recently held at the Canadian High Commissioner’s residence at Islamabad in which all stake holders including SDPI representative Mr. Abid Qayyum Sulehri former Canadian High Commissioner Farmer Association of Pakistan (FAP) Office Bearers Mr. Tariq Butcha, Mr. Afaaq Tawana, Mr. Hamid Malhi, Executive Director Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director Institute of Business Management Sciences UAF Prof. Dr. Muhammad Munir, Director Public Relations UAF Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jalal Arif, Assistant Professor UAF Dr. Abdul Ghafoor and others attended the round table discussion and made presentations. VC UAF told that High Commissioner H.E. Greg Giokas while delivering his welcome address said that “Canada is interested in encouraging a discussion on a market opening with India and the rest of the World, as it will provide greater stability and much needed prosperity to Pakistan and the Region”. On this occasion the High Commissioner while highlighting the prospects and objectives said that Pakistan has many comparative advantages, a good infrastructure and a growing work force and the agriculture Sector is a particular strength more over include research and analysis on the economic benefit and challenges of trade in the Agriculture Sector is a crucial component of the decision-making process and we are planning to work with UAF to initiate discussion with the many experts in this regard. Dr. Khan said that Indian High Commissioner has admitted in his statement that bilateral trade between both neighboring countries grew 21% to 2.4 billion dollars last year as Islamabad read the benefits of trade normalization more than the gains made by New Delhi. He said that during round table discussion status of Most Favorite Nation (MFN) to India and Government of Pakistan’s Policy were also discussed. Speakers expressed their concerns over lack of proper marketing system in Pakistan particularly in effective value chain management system. They discussed the current status of emerging challenges and policy options, prospects from Pakistan in regional trade, WTO agreement and agricultural trade. Vice Chancellor hoped that proposed International Center for Agricultural Trade & Research at UAF would play role of think tank for the formulation of Policy on Agricultural Trade in the Country. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Munir briefed the participants regarding new initiatives for the establishment of International Center.