LAHORE: Seven countries will invest Rs80 billion in the energy and value-added components of the poultry sector of Pakistan.

“Norway, Belgium, France, Korea, China, Brazil, and Germany have shown their interest in the poultry industry which is not only providing vast opportunity of employment but also playing role in fulfilling food requirements in the country,” said Pakistan Poultry Association Chairman Dr Mustafa Kamal at the concluding day of International Poultry Expo 2015 here on Saturday.

He said Pakistan’s poultry industry had touched the volume of Rs700 billion and had gained an important position in the industrial sector of Pakistan, adding the government should further patronise it.

Chief Organiser Abdul Hai Mehta, speaking on the occasion, said 180 stalls were set up by local and foreign companies in the three-day IPEX 2015 at Johar Town Expo Centre.

He said more than 50,000 people visited the exhibition in three days and 180 stalls of 90 companies from 18 countries of the world were established.

“Poultry consumption in USA is on the rise and youth are depending more on it as a rich source of protein.

Collaboration and cooperation with Pakistan in poultry sector will be maximised” said Zachary V. Harkenrider, US consul general in Lahore, while addressing the session with other diplomats.

He said Americans were huge consumers of chicken as “I myself eat chicken almost every day,” Herkenrider said and foresaw great potential for cooperation in poultry sector between Pakistan and USA.

“Presence of big American companies here in IPEX shows that we are playing a big role in advancement of poultry industry in Pakistan”.

The consul general also visited the IPEX and praised the amazing work done by Pakistan Poultry Association by organising the show.

Earlier, Chinese Consul General in Lahore Yu Boren said China had deep interest in Pakistan’s poultry industry and was extending every possible cooperation to help the sector grow.

Diplomats from Germany, France, Korea, and Brazil also participated in the session.

The closing ceremony of the IPEX was chaired by Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus who said the provincial government and the chief minister believed in the growth of poultry industry and wanted to extend every possible support to the sector.

Meanwhile, people from different walks of life including students from different universities and colleges, doctors, media professionals and families along with children visited the expo.

Consumer education sessions were conducted to educate masses on merits of the chicken meat.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2015

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