ISLAMABAD: Zarai Taraqiait Bank Ltd hosted first Belarus-Pakistan Agriculture Forum; a Business to Business Interactive Conference here on April 11th, 2017 at Marriott Islamabad. The event was graced by a high powered delegation of Belarrussian Parliament, headed by Andri Ackenehenko, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly Republic of Belarus. Along with him a delegation of agri-business community was also present there headed by H.E Lnoid Zayats, honourable Minister for Agriculture and Food Republic of Belarus.Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikaner Hayat Khan Bosan was also present at the event.

Delivering the welcoming address, Syed Talat Mahmood thanked the honorable delegation for providing ZTBL the opportunity to serve as a bridge in building agri-business relationship between both the countries, Belarus and Pakistan

Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan while thanking the honorable Parliamentarian and agri-business community delegation of Republic of Belarus appreciated the efforts of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd. for hosting this event and emphasized the foregoing of long lasting cooperation to agriculture and allied sectors of both the countries. He further said that heavy mechanical industry for agriculture, Pakistan’s high potential for Dairy and Livestock products and major crops along with the need for mechanization of agriculture fields of Pakistan offers great potential to the agribusiness community of Belarus.

At the event two Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) were signed for extension of cooperation among both the countries. One was signed between Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited and Gomselmash an agriculture machinery manufacturer of Republic of Belarus, for extension of cooperation by ZTBL to Gomselmash. The other MOU was signed between Agriculture University Faisalabad and Belarus State Agrarian Technical University for extension of cooperation in various fields of agriculture which includes bio-technology and Genetic Engineering.

Various agriculture products were also placed at the event for providing first hand introduction of Belarusian dairy, milk, meat and poultry products to Pakistani agri-business community. The event envisages to go a long way for future expanded cooperation in various fields of agriculture among both countries.—PR