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ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce and the United Nations Agri-Food Economic Division reviewed the ongoing collaboration on registering regional products as Geographical Indication (GIs) and aligning trade policy with national nutrition goals on Friday.
The meeting was part of a broader UN-supported initiative to align trade policies with national nutrition goals, improve food system sustainability, and strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural export potential.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khand and the UN delegation headed by David Laborde, Director of the Agri-Food Economics Division, discussed collaborative efforts on agri-food system reforms in Pakistan.
An official announcement said that the meeting reviewed ongoing collaboration on GIs, particularly the registration and promotion of regional products like Chilghoza Pine Nuts from Shirani, Chitral, Waziristan, and Diamer.
The FAO has facilitated multiple national workshops and field visits in support of GI development, and both parties acknowledged the potential of GI-certified products to boost rural incomes and enhance Pakistan’s international branding.
The minister stressed the importance of improving national compliance standards to meet WTO requirements, noting that the lack of regulatory enforcement allows informal markets to undermine the formal sector. He cited the Green Pakistan Initiative as an example, where high taxes reduced the attractiveness of corporate farming investments.
The meeting agreed on establishing a steering committee and technical working groups to ensure coordination across federal and provincial levels.
The UN delegation briefed the minister on the ongoing efforts under the UN Joint Front to enhance access to healthy diets by identifying gaps and surpluses in food production across Pakistan.
Mr Laborde stressed that poor dietary choices — especially the growing reliance on processed, high-fat foods — contributed to health issues and reduced productivity. He noted the need for integrated approaches addressing food supply and consumer behaviour.
Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2025
