The second International Food and Agriculture Exhibition (FoodAg-2024) wrapped up on Sunday, concluding with over $1.2 billion in deals.
Held over three days at the Expo Centre, the event drew more than 800 buyers from 75 countries. It featured 330 exporters presenting over 500 high-quality products. China led with the largest delegation, including more than 150 buyers.
The exhibition enabled 7,000 B2B meetings and resulted in the signing of 36 MoUs, focusing on sectors such as rice, processed food, seafood, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Notably, $35 million in seafood contracts were secured between Pakistani and Chinese firms. Additionally, significant investment interests emerged in dairy, potato seeds, and beverages.
TDAP organized factory tours for foreign delegates to showcase Pakistani exports, with visitors from Malaysia, Egypt, Tajikistan, Japan, and other countries exploring various production facilities. The Global Cuisine Show was a standout feature, with culinary artists highlighting Pakistani ingredients and drawing media attention and international delegations.
The event also included key sideline activities such as the Pak-China Agri Investment Conference and the Pak-Africa Investment Conference, aimed at enhancing trade and investment between participating countries. Discussions covered cooperation in aquaculture, meat, processed food, and agriculture. The Federal Minister of Commerce engaged in fruitful meetings with delegations from several nations, focusing on expanding bilateral trade, agricultural exports, and halal product markets.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and other trade associations participated in extensive negotiations with their foreign counterparts. Regulatory authorities from 13 countries discussed SPS and quarantine issues with Pakistani officials, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to improving safety standards.
A conference titled “Business Opportunities in Africa,” chaired by Ambassador Naeem Khan, aimed at boosting trade and investment between Pakistan and African nations. The exhibition also featured pitching sessions by provincial investment boards, promoting foreign investment in corporate farming, fisheries, and value-added agricultural products.
TDAP Chief Executive Zubair Motiwalla expressed optimism that the $1.2 billion in export orders would help meet the targets set by the Prime Minister. He also highlighted the upcoming FoodAg Manufacturing event in Lahore, designed to support value addition and mechanized farming in Pakistan, potentially initiating a new green revolution in the country.
