ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Belarus on Wednesday agreed to a wide-ranging discussion on various joint venture (JV) options to set up a joint tractor manufacturing plant in the country to uplift the local agriculture sector and increase productivity. Consensus on the initiative was reached during a meeting between National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain and Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Vadim Shagoiko, a press release said. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Industry Andrej Kuznetsov, Minister of Food Safety Ali Tahir and Minister of Industry Saif Anjum. The two sides agreed to work together on a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) project to protect livestock as well as build the capacity of agricultural engineers to design machinery. The minister shared a detailed plan for cooperation in the livestock sector, in the seed sector, mechanization of agriculture and improving market access for agricultural and livestock products. He emphasized that Pakistan highly appreciates the active involvement of the Belarusian side aimed at promoting and strengthening bilateral cooperation and cooperation in agriculture and livestock breeding. Pakistan has carefully considered the demands of the Belarusian side and made appropriate proposals to ensure that this partnership is mutually beneficial. The minister also said that Pakistani fruits should be allowed access to the Belarusian market. Vadim Shagoiko expressed his country’s interest in establishing a plant for the production of veterinary drugs in Pakistan. The minister replied that Pakistan is ready to facilitate investments in veterinary medicine.
