Value addition in agriculture vital for economic growth, export promotion: Rana Mashhood

LAHORE, Sep 05 (APP):Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Saturday said value addition in agricultural products was vital for improving the national economy, while increasing exports remained a top priority under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Addressing a ceremony at the Pakistan Date Festival organized by Lahore Organic Village, he said Pakistan was an agriculture-based economy and promotion of the agriculture sector was among the government’s top priorities. He said value addition in dates and other agricultural products, use of modern technology and promotion of exports could create new opportunities for economic growth. He added that the potential and capabilities of youth could be harnessed to put the country on the path of development and prosperity.

Rana Mashhood said more than 70 entrepreneurs from across the country were participating in the Date Festival with their products, demonstrating the commitment of Pakistani entrepreneurs to taking value-added agricultural products to international markets. He said Pakistan was among the major date-producing countries of the world, but historically most dates had been exported as raw agricultural produce. Now, young entrepreneurs were developing a variety of value-added date products and introducing them in domestic and international markets.

He stressed the need to provide such entrepreneurs with a common platform, facilitate the marketing of their products and connect them with international markets. The government, he assured, would continue extending its full cooperation in this regard.

The chairman said Pakistan should introduce the world’s best date varieties alongside indigenous varieties, increase production and develop their export potential. Such measures, he added, would not only strengthen the agriculture sector but also help increase the country’s exports.

Rana Mashhood said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision focused on sustainable economic growth and increasing exports. The government was not focusing only on large businesses but was also giving special attention to Pakistan’s agricultural economy, small businesses, young entrepreneurs and value-added sectors. He said agriculture was the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and investment in dates, olives and other agricultural sectors, adoption of modern farming techniques, value addition and export promotion could open new avenues of development for the country.

He said the government was running the country’s largest Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Programme to make young people economically empowered. Training opportunities were also being provided in technical education, hospitality, information technology and other modern fields.

The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, he said, had evolved into a comprehensive platform providing youth opportunities in education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship and creative activities.

Addressing participating entrepreneurs, Rana Mashhood said they could seek guidance from the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Programme if they needed business planning, project preparation or financing. He assured them of every possible facility and support to enable them to introduce their products in domestic and international markets. He said the government was continuing efforts to strengthen the national economy in collaboration with the private sector.

Referring to Pakistan Vision 2047, Rana Mashhood said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had presented the concept on August 14, under which the entire nation would be involved in shaping the country’s future. The vision aimed at enabling people, particularly youth, to contribute their ideas, capabilities, innovation and creativity towards Pakistan’s development.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to empower youth and take every possible step to make Pakistan a strong, developed and prosperous country. He said Pakistan desired peace in the region but would not compromise on the protection of its fundamental rights.

Earlier, Rana Mashhood inaugurated the Pakistan Date Festival by cutting a ribbon and visited various stalls, where entrepreneurs and industrialists from across the country displayed their products.