ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with a Chinese delegation to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the livestock sector, with a specific emphasis on bolstering Pakistan’s meat exports to China. This strategic engagement follows recent discussions on economic ties, similar to when Ambassador Khalil Hashmi reviewed Pakistan-China economic ties with the Finance Minister to further solidify the bilateral trade framework.

Welcoming the delegation, the Federal Minister emphasized that Pakistan possesses enormous potential in the livestock sector owing to its large animal population, strategic geographic location, and growing capacity to produce high-quality halal meat. He noted that livestock remains a vital pillar of Pakistan’s agricultural economy, contributing significantly to agricultural value addition, rural livelihoods, and national GDP. This move aligns with broader government efforts, such as the initiative where Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar departed for China for the WAICO signing to enhance industrial and economic collaboration.

Expanding Meat Export Infrastructure

Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that China is one of the world’s largest consumers and importers of meat, presenting a tremendous opportunity for Pakistan to expand its export footprint. He invited Chinese investors and companies to establish state-of-the-art slaughterhouses and modern meat processing facilities in Pakistan equipped with advanced technologies, international hygiene standards, cold-chain infrastructure, and traceability systems to ensure the production of premium-quality halal meat for export.

The Minister said that the Government of Pakistan is committed to facilitating foreign investment in the agriculture and livestock sectors by providing a business-friendly environment, policy support, and close institutional coordination. He stressed that investment in modern slaughtering and meat processing infrastructure would not only increase Pakistan’s exports but also generate employment, improve value addition, strengthen food safety standards, and enhance farmers’ incomes.

Bilateral Technical Collaboration

The Chinese delegation appreciated Pakistan’s livestock potential and expressed keen interest in exploring opportunities for cooperation in meat processing, technology transfer, quality assurance, and export-oriented infrastructure. Both sides agreed to enhance technical collaboration, facilitate business-to-business partnerships, and work closely to address regulatory and sanitary requirements for increasing meat exports to the Chinese market. Concluding the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Pakistan’s livestock sector into a globally competitive industry. He expressed confidence that stronger Pakistan-China cooperation in livestock and meat processing would contribute to food security, promote sustainable agricultural growth, and further strengthen the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.