November 07, 2007	Wednesday	Shawwal 25, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: A high-level delegation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is expected to arrive in the current month for exploring possibilities of investment in agri-dairy sector.

Pakistan has received substantial share of GCC investments in financial services, telecom and real estate.

Agriculture and dairy will be a win-win for both the countries. Pakistan has some of the highest returns in agri-dairy sector and at the same time, GCC imports 90 per cent of its agr-dairy needs.

The visiting delegation will possibly hold meetings with Pakistani officials and other stakeholders at the sidelines of an investment forum in Lahore to identify areas of possible investment in the agro dairy sector.

Ms Huma Fakhar, who will organise the forum, told Dawn that the delegation will participate in the Lahore investment forum, to be held on Nov 29. The objective of the forum is to help consolidate and facilitate agriculture and dairy investors, local partners and financiers in boosting investment in value-added agriculture and dairy.

This will be followed by another follow-up road show for Pakistan agri-dairy sector in Dubai next year, she added.

At both the events, arrangements are made for compatible businesses to come together to exchange contacts, experiences and network with a view to generating real investments and joint venture opportunities in the sector, she said.

Ms Fakhar said during the forum, presentations will be made by institutional investors on their interests; multinationals on their investment experiences and future interest; by local businesses for attracting joint venture partners.

The current surplus 2005-2007 for GCC alone is $585 billion. Most of the GCC foreign investment is directed towards Asian economies. The GCC investment in the areas of agri and dairy sector was following the robust growth in these sectors in Pakistan.Pakistan is the world’s largest producer of kinno; it is also the fifth largest producer of milk having world’s third largest herd of animals.

It ranks in the top five producers of the world in mangoes and dates.

Additionally, the potential in crops, like cotton, rice, wheat and sugar, has earned directly or indirectly more than 70 per cent of total national exports.