PESHAWAR: The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Zhejiang Dowish Import and Export Company Limited, China, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday for export of animals to China and establishment of animal farms in the province.

A statement issued here said that under the agreement the KP government would export animals to China and in return China would assist in establishing modern animal farms in different districts of the province.

The agreement would also be helpful in enhancing the business of small traders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Secretary Agriculture and Livestock Department Mohammad Israr on behalf of the government of KP and Zhang Xichun on behalf of the Chinese company signed the agreement.

Special assistant to the chief minister on livestock Mohibullah Khan, director general livestock extension Dr Sher Mohammad and representatives of the Chinese company also attended the ceremony.

After the ceremony, they said that the MoU was very important and it would help in reducing unemployment and enhancing trade activities. Mohibullah Khan said that the environment was very conducive to foreign investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

When contacted, an official of the livestock department said that animals had not been specified in the agreement. However, he said that work on the agreement would be initiated soon.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2017