CM Punjab,Oman minister discuss cooperation in agriculture,fisheries,skilled workforce

LAHORE, Oct 06 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister(CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with Oman’s Minister of Agriculture,Fisheries and Water Resources Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Habsi in Muscat and discussed enhanced cooperation between Punjab and Oman in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, aquaculture and other sectors.

The Omani minister warmly welcomed CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif and congratulated her on receiving the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” program,said a handout issued here on Tuesday.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation between Punjab and Oman in agriculture, fisheries and livestock, while the Omani minister offered assistance in establishing Punjab’s first shrimp center.

CM offered to export quality meat from Punjab to Muscat at competitive international market rates and said measures would also be taken to increase exports of livestock for milk and meat production.

She proposed measures for lifting restrictions on the arrival of skilled workers from Punjab to Muscat.

The Omani minister agreed to consider the proposal,saying that the demand for skilled workers in Oman remained high and Pakistani youth were endowed with exceptional talent.

He said Punjab would be informed about the demand for skilled workers in different sectors in Oman,adding that skilled workers from Punjab would be welcomed in construction,aquaculture,agriculture and other fields.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said thousands of young people in Punjab had already received training under the skills development program according to market requirements.

“Pakistan’s 65 per cent youth is a valuable asset, and they are being equipped with skills through modern training programs,”she said,adding that the exceptional abilities of Pakistani youth were recognized across the world.

She said millions of young people in Punjab were being equipped with skills according to the requirements of local and international job markets, while modern technical training was being imparted in different sectors.

Talking about the “Apni Chhat,Apna Ghar” program,the Chief Minister said construction of 200,000 to 250,000 houses under the initiative was a game changer in the housing sector.

She said people from other provinces were also coming to Punjab in search of better employment opportunities and a brighter future.

CM Maryam Nawaz said former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had described her visit to Oman as a matter of good fortune while seeing her off for Muscat.

“My father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif told me that I was fortunate because despite serving as prime minister three times,he could not visit Muscat,”she said.

The CM said Punjab was the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy and appreciated Oman’s progress in fisheries and other sectors under the leadership of Minister Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Habsi.

She said Punjab had successfully conducted a pilot program for shrimp farming since last year as part of its efforts to promote aquaculture.

Trial shrimp farming was under way in Shah Garh and Ali Wala areas of Muzaffargarh as well as Sargodha.

She said Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art aquaculture mall and shrimp diagnostic laboratory would be established at Shah Garh.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said modern machinery and techniques were being used for aquaculture farming in Punjab following the models of China, Norway,Vietnam,Indonesia and other countries.

She said the provincial government was planning shrimp farming on 30,000 acres across Punjab, including Bahawalpur, and would welcome cooperation from Muscat for further promotion of aquaculture.

The CM said she would request Prime Minister(PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to facilitate the export of live livestock from Punjab to Muscat.

She said Punjab was ready to export high-quality meat to Muscat at competitive rates in line with international market prices.

Oman’s Minister Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Habsi welcomed Punjab’s first woman Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to Muscat and said the demand for skilled workers in Oman remained strong.

He said Pakistani youth possessed exceptional capabilities and assured that Oman would welcome skilled workers from Punjab in construction,aquaculture,agriculture and other sectors.