Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and Qatar are set to strengthen their agricultural cooperation as part of ongoing efforts to transform their long-standing relations into robust economic ties.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, met with the Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan, Ali bin Mubarak Al Khater, to discuss potential avenues for deeper collaboration in agriculture.
During the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain welcomed Ambassador Al Khater and emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, built on mutual trust, respect, and shared values. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to standing with Qatar, stressing that both nations share a vision of regional prosperity and cooperation.
The Minister highlighted that despite the close diplomatic and cultural ties, agricultural collaboration between Pakistan and Qatar remains limited, with Pakistan’s agricultural exports to Qatar significantly lower compared to regional competitors such as India. He underlined that Pakistan has the potential to become a reliable supplier of quality agricultural products, particularly in halal meat, fruits, vegetables, rice, and animal feed.
Read More: Pakistan, Qatar Vow to Deepen Ties Across Sectors
Rana Tanveer Hussain informed the Ambassador that under the vision of the current government, red-tapism has been drastically reduced, and a business-friendly environment has been created to attract foreign investment. He proposed the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Agriculture to develop a structured framework for cooperation and identify priority projects.
The Minister also shared details of Pakistan’s new agricultural initiatives, including the production and export of dry camel milk, which is already being exported to the United States and China, while Saudi Arabia has shown keen interest in importing it. He added that Pakistan has also developed investment-ready projects for Rhodes grass export and industrial-scale feedlot fattening farms, which can directly support Qatar’s food and feed security needs.
Read More: Qatar Charity Launches Major Relief Drive for Flood Victims in Pakistan
“Our government strongly encourages Qatari investors to explore the vast opportunities in Pakistan’s agri-sector. We are ready to facilitate partnerships, provide land access, and ensure smooth coordination at every stage,” the Minister stated.
The Ambassador of Qatar, Ali bin Mubarak Al Khater, appreciated the warm hospitality and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Pakistan. He acknowledged that Pakistan possesses immense agricultural potential and a highly skilled workforce, which can play a vital role in Qatar’s food security strategy under Vision 2030.
The Ambassador announced that the Qatari Minister of Commerce will soon visit Pakistan to discuss new investment opportunities and expressed his willingness to remain available at all times to facilitate communication and collaboration between the two sides. He also proposed assigning focal persons from both countries to ensure continuous engagement and follow-up on mutually agreed projects.
Both sides agreed to work on formalizing collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation and to strengthen B2B linkages between Pakistani exporters and Qatari importers.
In conclusion, Rana Tanveer Hussain reiterated that Pakistan and Qatar are bound by ties of faith, fraternity, and friendship, and that Pakistan stands ready to serve as a reliable partner in fulfilling Qatar’s agricultural and food security goals.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
