The largest food group in Asia and major Thai conglomerate, “Charoen Pokphand”, is likely to invest in food technology, fisheries and gems sectors in Pakistan. Pichate Satirachaval, Thailand Trade Representative (TTR), along with Thai ambassador in Pakistan, Marut Jitpatima and Pakistan’s ambassador in Thailand Sohail Mahmood, met Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Saleem H Mandviwalla, at BOI head quarter on Tuesday. The head of the delegation apprised that investment from CP group, the largest food group in Asia has recently visited Pakistan to do land survey and prepare for feasibility study for feed mill, breeder farm, and hatchery and broiler farm. They are now finalising their investment, once all the land sites are identified and tax facilitation is granted.
Thai Urethane, a Thai company, has recently started a power plant in Pakistan with the investment of $10 million. Pakistan and Thailand have enjoyed cordial relationship for a long time. This year was the 60th year of establishment of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, Chairman BoI said. He suggested EXIM Bank Thailand can facilitate bilateral trade and investment between both countries with the opening of bank branch in Pakistan. He further said Thailand can support us in the processing of foods to increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The export of fruits can be increased by increasing the shelf life of fruits because 35 per cent of them are wasted due to unavailability of advanced technology in Pakistan.
Cooperation in the halal sector has recently been facilitated between University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and Halal Science Center, Thailand.
In addition, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore has also been finalised to cooperate in food technology. Bilateral trade between the two countries in 2010 was recorded $916 million, and this year, the total trade is approaching $1 billion. Trade over last two years has already increased by about 25 per cent. The main products that Pakistan exported to Thailand in 2010 were yarn and fibres, fresh aquatic animals and textile. Thailand’s main exports to Pakistan in 2010 included motor cars, parts and accessories, sugar, chemical products and polymers of ethylene, propylene, etc; in primary forms, respectively.
