ISLAMABAD: The 6th D-8 Agricultural Ministers’ meeting will be held in Islamabad while the date was still being finalised between the officials of ministry of national food security and the Developing-8 Secretariat.

The Developing-8 is an organisation for the cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Pakistan accepted hosting the meeting when Bangladesh showed its unwillingness to host the meeting which was decided in the 5th meeting held in December last in Istanbul, official sources told Dawn.

Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan gave the consent to D-8 Secretary General Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi on Friday, in Islamabad.

Mr Bosan expressed hopes that the ministerial meeting would provide all eight members of the organisation an opportunity to identify areas of mutual cooperation, help promote agriculture export and ensure food security. It will also help in exchanging elite genetic resources, sharing of farm machinery while assisting in research and technology, he added.

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The minister said Pakistan was the fourth largest exporter of mangoes but will gain the top position with the efforts of his team.

He hinted at exporting mango, rice, wheat and meat to Iran if it showed interest.

Meanwhile, the D-8 Secretariat has announced of holding the group’s meeting on halal sector development on April 27 and 28, in Islamabad.

The 5th meeting decided to formulate a workable action plan for timely implementation of the project besides, selection of food and agricultural and fisheries products for standard regulations.

It also decided on forming policies based on international rules and regulations on seed and plant material.

Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015

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