South Asia To Become Global Leader In Agricultural Trade: SCCI
Faizan Hashmi Published March 28, 2018 | 03:53 PM
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik Wednesday said that adopting a unanimous market-oriented agricultural policy could make South Asian region a world leader in agricultural trade in the decade to come
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2018 ) :SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik Wednesday said that adopting a unanimous market-oriented agricultural policy could make South Asian region a world leader in agricultural trade in the decade to come. The agricultural trade within the region would also play an instrumental role in poverty alleviation, he said while representing Pakistan at the concluding session of 74TH General Assembly and 23rd Executive Committee of SAARC chamber held at Colombo, according to a message received here Wednesday.
He said that priority should be given on identifying High-Value Crops (HVC) of various countries of the region. He said SAARC's roots lay in Integrated Program of Action (IPA) Declaration adopted by the foreign ministers of South Asia in 1983, calling for regional cooperation in the areas of agriculture, health, rural development and population. According to the message, the newly elected SAARC Chamber President from Sri Lanka Ruwan Edirisinghe chaired the session, which among others was attended by all VPs and member of executive committee and general assembly. Elucidating his vision on agricultural trade in the region, Iftikhar Malik said that agricultural sector was crucial in taking forward the region in the path of prosperity and in this regard South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) had very good provisions.
"We need to implement these provisions for the benefit of people of this region," he added. He said that there was a dire need of setting up ultra-modern agriculture research centers across the region for the study and research on various crops for better yield. He also underlined the need for educating farmers, saying that it was high time that farmers are trained on modern lines to boost productivity as cultivable land was shrinking with every passing year. "The SAARC nations, at this stage, must not lose their focus on this front because they have the core competence in the sector and their economies are dominated by it." Malik said that one-fifth of the South Asian population was younger than 24 years, therefore, the countries as well as SAARC should step up efforts to create adequate and suitable employment opportunities for this age group.
He underlined the need for materializing the dream of making South Asia a world trade leader, however deplored that poor connectivity was a major drawback for expansion of agriculture business in the South Asian region while tariff and non-tariff barriers were also other obstacles in trade promotion.
He said there is also a need of creating a mechanism for technology transfer within South Asia.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
More Stories From Agriculture
-
MNAs for favorable wheat procurement terms to benefit farmers
14 hours ago -
Farmers should preferably complete cotton sowing by May 15, say experts
16 hours ago -
Livestock dept, PCS to hold poultry expo from April 30
8 days ago -
Farmers advised to adopt pre, post harvest management for wheat crop
9 days ago -
Farmers must complete all arrangements prior to wheat harvesting
12 days ago -
Wheat Harvest: Agri deptt issues certain guidelines
12 days ago
-
1,800 agricultural equipment to be provided to 710 farmers: secretary
19 days ago -
Steps must be taken for promotion of agriculture sector in Balochistan: Qadir
19 days ago -
Govt working to increase agriculture production in merged districts: KP Minister
20 days ago -
Commissioner chairs meeting to discuss wheat procurement target, other matters
23 days ago -
Vital for economy, agriculture sector to be uplifted on priority basis: Minister
1 month ago -
Advisory for wheat growers
1 month ago