Mettis Global reported on November 3 that the federal government and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry have agreed to work together to expand agricultural exports. Their discussions covered export-focused research, investment, testing and certification, processing, and ways to reduce regulatory and technical barriers. LCCI proposed an Agriculture Committee to select promising commodities and develop strategies for them, with rice and livestock among its priorities.
Rice, potatoes, maize, sesame, castor bean oil and dates were identified as products with export potential, while China, Saudi Arabia and Iran were cited as markets requiring focused outreach. Participants also discussed foot-and-mouth disease restrictions on meat sales abroad, and the need for stronger traceability, vaccination and certification. The ministry is working to upgrade National Agricultural Research Centre testing capacity, while seed regulation, research ties with China and cotton productivity were also on the agenda. The meeting further addressed fertiliser availability and greater processing of products such as dates and olives.