Islamabad: Cargill renewed its long standing commitment to Pakistan by announcing plans to invest more than US$200 million in the next three-to-five years. The announcement was made soon after Cargill’s global executive team, led by Marcel Smits, head of Global Strategy and Chairman, Cargill Asia Pacific region, and Gert-Jan van den Akker, president, Cargill Agricultural Supply Chain, met with the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan and other senior government officials to discuss the company’s future investment plans. Being a global food and agriculture producer with a strong focus on Asia, Cargill aims to partner on Pakistan’s growth by bringing its global expertise and investment into the country. The company’s strategy includes expansion across its agricultural trading and supply chain, edible oils, dairy, meat and animal feed businesses while ensuring safety and food traceability. Cargill will bring world class innovations to support the flourishing dairy industry in Pakistan, which is already moving toward modernization, as well as the rising demand for edible oils backed by evolving consumption patterns and a growing market for animal feed driven by sustained progress made by the poultry industry in Pakistan. The Prime Minister welcomed investment plans of M/s Cargill in the area of agriculture development, import substitution and enhancement of agricultural products.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) need to be reviewed as the completed projects are set to bring socio-economic opportunities for the people.
He said this while chairing a meeting in Islamabad during which the progress on Pak-China cooperation in the areas of industrial development, special economic zones, ML-1 project, agriculture development, socio-economic development, infrastructure development and Gwadar development came under review.
During the huddle, various projects under the CPEC banner and development of various sectors came under review and the premier stressed upon the need to further speed up the projects.
The PM also decided to form a CPEC Business Advisory Council and directed the Board of Investment chairman to present comprehensive recommendations within four weeks to expedite the development of special economic zones.
The premier also said that “Pakistan can learn a lot from China, especially when it comes to eradicating poverty”. He further said that Pakistan’s potential in the development of the industrial and agricultural sectors can be enhanced via bilateral relations.
