POGEE 2024 – Energy sector’s largest exhibition inaugurated in Lahore
The 18th edition of ‘Pakistan Oil, Gas & Energy Exhibition’ (POGEE) Lahore
The grand event features the latest Oil, Gas & Power technologies.
The 18th edition of the ‘Pakistan Oil, Gas & Energy Exhibition’ (POGEE), the premier showcase of the Energy sector, commenced at the Lahore Expo Centre with great enthusiasm. This edition, featuring cutting-edge global technologies for the Oil, Gas, and Power industries, was inaugurated alongside the 15th Safe Secure Pakistan (SSP) exhibition. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Mr. Zaki Aijaz, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FPCCI), Zia Salahuddin, Executive Director of Oil & Gas Development Company (Pakistan) Limited (OGDCL), Dr. Abdul Rehman, Administrator of RESCUE-1122 (Punjab Emergency Services), and Rao Asif Ali, Director Chevron Pakistan.
Despite its hiatus, POGEE and SSP witnessed robust participation from leading international and local energy companies, including Siemens Pakistan, JC Electronics (Netherlands), Flanders Investment & Trade (Belgium), and Hangzhou Turbine Power Group (China). Held from 8th to 10th May 2024, this event at the Lahore Expo Centre is expected to draw thousands of delegates from key stakeholders and government institutions.
The chief guest underscored the significance of POGEE and SSP in providing valuable opportunities for stakeholders in the oil, gas, power, safety, and security industries, facilitating business expansion and diversification in Pakistan. He commended Pegasus Consultancy for consistently organizing impactful events that bring together diverse exhibitors and decision-makers to promote cutting-edge technologies and exchange expert opinions.
Discussions at the event emphasized the crucial role of Pakistan’s energy sector in economic and industrial development, stressing the need for sustainable energy sources to mitigate environmental impact. According to the recent ‘Integrated Energy Planning’ (IEP) report, the country’s energy demand is projected to increase significantly by 2030, presenting attractive investment opportunities for global companies.
Pegasus Consultancy, renowned for organizing high-profile trade exhibitions in Pakistan annually, including IFTECH, Plasti&Pack, POGEE, and Safe Secure Pakistan, has garnered significant international participation. The Managing Director, Aamer Khanzada, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response to this year’s event, with 100 companies from 17 countries participating, showcasing a range of petroleum-related products and services.
Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) serves as the strategic partner for the event, with Chevron Group as the Gold Sponsor, representing global giants such as Chevron, TEXACO, and CALTEX. In addition to POGEE, the concurrent 15th International Fire, Safety, Security & Health Exhibition – ‘Safe Secure Pakistan’ is expected to attract a large audience from relevant industrial sectors.
Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan limited joins International Finance Corporation’s global trade finance program
Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited (DIBPL) has signed an Issuing Bank Agreement (IBA) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support international trade in Pakistan.
Under the agreement, IFC will guarantee payment of DIBPL obligations to support their trade finance transactions with tenors of up to one year. This will strengthen DIBPL’s strategic plan to grow its international trade business and enhance correspondent banking relationships focused on international trade within the country.
“This agreement will further streamline and ease the process for trade finance in Pakistan. Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan remains committed to supporting businesses focused on international trade and we believe this partnership with IFC will be instrumental in achieving this goal,” said Mr. Junaid Ahmed, CEO of DIPBL.
The agreement falls under IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP), which extends and complements the capacity of banks to deliver trade financing by providing risk mitigation in new or challenging markets where trade lines may be constrained.
“Trade is essential for economic growth and a key driver of opportunities for local enterprises. We are pleased to support Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited in its efforts to boost international trade and we believe this partnership will help foster a trade ecosystem in the country that strengthens supply chains, spurs productivity, and creates jobs,” said Momina Aijazuddin, Regional Head for the Financial Institutions Group at IFC.
IFC’s GTFP has been operating in Pakistan since 2005. Pakistan is now one of the top markets for the program with a total GTFP commitments of US$6.6 billion since inception and US$1.4 billion for FY23. With the recent joining of DIPBL, IFC has now 10 partner issuing banks in Pakistan who will benefit from the program.
Shell Pakistan announces profit for Q1 2024
The Board of Directors of Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) announced the first quarter results for the company. The company posted a profit after tax of PKR 314 million compared to the loss after tax of PKR 4,762 million made in the same period last year.
The Mobility business grew its network with 5 newly commissioned sites and refreshed 13 sites. The business added 13 non-fuel retail facilities across the network. The Lubricants business introduced Shell Lubricant Solutions, providing end-to-end lubricant services to B2B customers, rooted in technical expertise and business collaboration.
In collaboration with Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT), the Company organised an eye camp for mechanics, to provide free eye screening to ensure healthy eyesight and contribute to the well-being of our communities. Mechanics are an important part of our lubricants partner community.
SPL remains committed to operational excellence, safety performance, strengthen its financial position, and play a responsible role in society.
Rawalpindi Safe City Project opens
PTCL and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) have joined forces to inaugurate the Safe City Project Rawalpindi to revolutionise urban safety and security. Group Director, Enterprise Solutions, PTCL, Waqar Ahmed, and Chief Information Officer, PITB, Sajjad Ghani signed the agreement in the presence of Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Zarrar Hasham Khan and Director Procurement, PITB, Atta Ur Rehman. The project will leverage PTCL’s secured data and state-of-the-art ICT services to bolster surveillance and emergency response systems, bringing newfound convenience and empowerment to citizens.
Remotewell, Godaam technologies and Digitt+ present top ideas at Zar Zaraat Agri-Startup competition
“Agriculture, as a sector, hold the key to prosperity, food security, and the socioeconomic upliftment of our rural communities, continuous innovation and development within the agricultural sector, therefore, are vital for the economic development and sustainability of Pakistan” said Zafar Masud, President & CEO of The Bank of Punjab, while speaking at the BoP-sponsored ZarZaraat start-up competition at Pakistan Agricultural Coalition’s Agri-Connections 2024 conference and expo.
RemoteWell, an IoT device that offers wireless switching, scheduling, and controlling of watering systems of farms, Godaam Technologies, which aims to reinvent warehousing by digitalising site availability and booking, giving end to end visibility of goods and Digitt+ an Agri-fintech that aims to enhance financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture by leveraging innovative technology, seeking to optimise transaction efficiency, empower smallholder farmers with timely financial support, and encourage innovative partnerships, came out as the Top Ideas of the ZarZaraat start-up competition at Agri-Connections 2024.
“We at Pakistan Agricultural Coalition believe that the future of Pakistan’s agriculture relies on the transition of our farmers beginning to think of themselves as businessmen” said Raashid Anwer, Convenor of Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, while explaining the ZarZaraat segment.
“The idea behind this fascinating project is to create a pipeline for the investors in agriculture space.” said Zafar Masud.
Ms. Maria Saleem of Fatima Group explained that 35 applications were received from various agri companies and shortlisted to seven which were then judged by a jury under the chairmanship of Mr. Yawar Ali of Nestle Pakistan. Other jurors included Sarfraz Hussain of Bank of Punjab, Ms. Naz Khan of IFC, Ms. Maria Saleem of Fatima Group, Muneer Kamal of Pakistan Banks’ Association, Kazim Saeed of Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, and Hasan Khurram Hanif, a progressive farmer.
The three companies shortlisted by the jury, Digitt+, Godaam Technologies, and RemoteWell, were invited to pitch in front of a group of investors representing various entities including Asif Riaz from The Bank of Punjab, Navid Goraya of Karandaaz, Habib Saqib of Fatima Gobi Ventures, Kashif Thanvi of Acumen Fund, Shahbaz Malik of Hilton Pharma, and Khurram Jamali of Din Ventures.
Each finalist got a chance to explain their product/service in front of this panel to raise investment for their venture and also received cash prizes sponsored by The Bank of Punjab.
Zafar Masud elaborated that Bank of Punjab is also evaluating to support the shortlisted companies through concessional financing under the Punjab Rozgar and the PM’s Youth Business & Agricultural Loans schemes.
He also stressed on the importance of giving the ZarZaraat platform to Agric companies to come and pitch their ideas and raise investments while giving examples of successful startups around the world which are transforming the global agriculture sector, such as, Kiva, Hello Tractor in Africa, and Bigbasket in India, and others.
Navid Goraya, Chief Investment Officer of Karandaaz, an investment platform of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced that each finalist will get one day of counselling and advice from Karandaaz experts to improve their business models and financability.
National foods inaugurates largest manufacturing facility in Faisalabad
National Foods Limited (NFL) is set to revolutionise Pakistan’s food landscape with the inauguration of its largest, state-of-the-art production plant in Faisalabad. Fueled by an investment of PKR 7 billion, the plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology and marks a significant milestone in National Foods’ pursuit to bring further innovation and quality to the food industry.
The recently held inauguration ceremony was attended by the Chairman Zahid Majeed, Global CEO Abrar Hasan, along with the company’s Board of Directors, management personnel and guests.
Spread over 30 acres, the plant will help NFL cater to the domestic market and empower the company to significantly increase its export volume, building upon its current exports.
“We are delighted to inaugurate our new production facility which marks a monumental milestone for us, affirming our commitment to serve the nation’s growing demand for high-quality food products while boosting employment and export opportunities,” stated Mr. Abrar Hasan, Global CEO of National Foods.
With over 600+ jobs creation, NFL’s Faisalabad plant has production capacity of 6,000 tons/month, and will house production of spices, recipe mixes, ketchups, mayonnaise, Chinese sauces, seasonings and Kasuri Methi.
National Foods, founded in 1970 and later turned into a public limited company, has been an integral player in the food sector for over five decades, offering a comprehensive portfolio of 250 products over 12 key categories, placing it at the forefront of innovation and quality.
NFL’s reach extends beyond national borders, encompassing 40 countries across five continents, providing authentic Pakistani flavors that reconnect overseas Pakistanis with their vibrant heritage. The company has subsidiaries in the UAE, UK, North America, and has recently expanded its supply chain hub in Canada to continue providing customers with high-quality premium products.
Indus Motor braves another quarter as it announces financial results
Indus Motor Company (IMC) announced its financial results for the nine-month period ending March 31, 2024, that witnessed a 61% increase in profit after tax, to PKR 9.41 billion, compared to PKR 5.84 billion, for the same period last year.
IMC’s net sales turnover for the nine-month period decreased to Rs. 98.23 billion, as compared to Rs. 135.03 billion in the same period last year. The combined sales of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Completely Built-up Units (CBU) vehicles for period, decreased by 47% to 13,922 units as against 26,055 units sold in the corresponding period last year. The market share of the Company in the overall market stood at approximately 20%. The Company produced 13,217 vehicles during the period, registering an 51% decrease, as compared to 26,848 units produced in the same period last year.
Expressing his views, CEO IMC, Ali Asghar Jamali, said, “With plummeting customer demand, it’s been a tough nine months and adding fuel to fire, has been the unabated import of used cars into the country that has wreaked havoc on the auto industry. We request the Government to take specific measures that accelerate and sustain auto sector volumes over the future months. Other contributors to the volume drop have been higher duties and taxes along with the deteriorating economic situation. Any further hike in duties and taxes will be detrimental to the auto industry and will also reduce the overall revenue to the Government from this sector.
Emphasising on It is of critical importance that we continue to nurture foreign investor’s confidence and encourage further investment and request the Government to sustain the HEV policy incentives announced in the AIDEP 21-26, consequently, promoting a greener environment and reducing the country’s fuel import bill.”
During the third quarter, IMC received various accolades, such as, The Professionals Network (TPN) recognized IMC’s efforts through awards in leading categories, “Clean Energy Transition” and “Community Impact”. IMC was also recognized for “CSR Initiatives” by The National Forum for Environmental & Health (NFEH) and the Federal Board of Revenue lauded the company with the “Compliant Corporate Taxpayer” Award, presented to Ali Asghar Jamali, CEO IMC by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif at Islamabad.
The Earnings Per Share (EPS) of IMC for the nine-month period ending March 31, 2024, stands at PKR 119.67 in comparison to PKR 74.35 reported in the same period last year. The Board of Directors declared a third interim cash dividend of PKR 34 per share for the period, as compared to PKR 24.40 per share, for the same period last year.
Business community delighted to have Saudi investors: Mian Zahid
Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain said on May 6 that a high-level delegation of investors led by the Deputy Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia has arrived for negotiations regarding investment in Pakistan which is a positive development.
The 50-member delegation from more than 30 companies has arrived on the instructions of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said it would explore agriculture, mining, human resources, energy, chemicals and maritime opportunities.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the visit of the Saudi delegation will promote trade relations and investment and Pakistani companies can connect with the companies of the friendly country.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that leading companies from both countries will seek investment opportunities, which are expected to increase investment, exports and employment.
He said that agreements and memorandums of understanding will also be signed in this context. He said after Shehbaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s relations with China and other countries are improving and their focus is on increasing trade and investment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited Saudi Arabia twice, while the Saudi Foreign Minister has also visited Pakistan, and now Pakistan is looking forward to the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince. Mian Zahid Hussain said it is sad that the wheat scandal has come to light when there is a possibility of massive investment from Saudi Arabia. This is sending a negative message to the whole world.
He said the economic system of the country is poor and dominated by the mafia. For this reason, the country is always under some scandal that exploits the people, increases poverty, and gives investors a negative message. It is commonly perceived that nothing is done on merit, but there is a collusion everywhere. In such circumstances, foreign investment in the country’s agricultural sector will become problematic.
Mian Zahid Hussain further said that on the one hand, Saudi investors will be evaluating the Pakistani market. On the other hand, farmers will be running a nationwide movement because every time, the mafia succeeds in defeating the farmers. He said that the central and provincial governments should try to solve this issue of farmers as soon as possible.
Cement sector demands tax credits on track and trace investments
The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association (APCMA) welcomes the recent statement by the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan on the implementation of the track and trace system by the Federal Board of Revenue and the initiation of investigation to probe the mismanagement in its implementation.
The APCMA in various meetings and correspondence with the FBR has maintained from day one that the track and trace system cannot function within the cement industry and will not achieve the desired results. Such views however were not taken seriously by the FBR and the cement industry was coerced into purchasing equipment worth billions of rupees for implementing the track and trace system.
Various trial runs of the track and trace system on the cement industry failed miserably and instead of removing the shortcomings, the dispatches of the cement industry were stopped by the FBR to forcefully implement the track and trace cement.
A collective approach on implementation of the track and trace system would have saved valuable foreign exchange lost in importing machinery and may have yielded better results. The cement industry has supported this initiative from the very first day and instead of challenging its implementation, as was the case with some other industries, engaged with the FBR in good faith, as successful implementation of the system would have prevented tax fraud.
The cement industry is amongst the highest contributors to the national exchequer and has contributed approximately PKR 240 billion in taxes in TY 2022-23. Furthermore, the cement industry also earns valuable foreign exchange by exporting cement and such exports in the year 2022-23, clocked-in at approximately USD 210 million.
The APCMA urges the Government to compensate the industry through tax relief for heavy investments made on the implementation of the track and trace system.
“The cement industry played its role for the implementation of the track and trace system in the national interest but after its failure the industry needs tax relief adjustments for its heavy investments in the system because the industry is in crisis due to decreasing economic activities, limited development activities, and increase in production cost,” reasoned the spokesman.
Economic recovery impossible in presence of energy crisis: Mian Zahid
Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain said on April 27 that complete economic recovery and development is impossible in the presence of a serious energy crisis.
He said that until the energy crisis is resolved and the price of electricity and gas is reduced, the economic downturn and recession will continue.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the mismanagement of the energy sector has been affecting the GDP for years, and the policy of continuously increasing the tariff has backfired.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the policy of continuous hikes in the power tariff has been adopted to reduce the losses of this sector, which has led to a fall in production and exports.
Poverty is increasing rapidly and the power sector has not seen any noticeable improvement despite burdening masses, he observed.
The business leader said that despite the huge increase in electricity and gas prices, the performance of these sectors has remained the same which is unfortunate.
Due to wrong policies, electricity demand and recoveries are continuously decreasing, which is increasing the losses of the government as contracts entered into with IPPs have crippled the economy.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that, on the one hand, the electricity rates are being increased continuously; on the other hand, over-billing has also peaked.
The problems of this sector and their solutions are also known to all those who matter. The prime minister has rightly said that the prices of electricity and gas should be reduced so that industries can increase exports.
A price reduction is possible if the power sector is not interfered with and merit is observed in high-level appointments.
He said that efforts are being made to make gas prices uniform across the country, which will make gas more expensive, but the losses of gas companies will be reduced.
Gas-producing provinces have reservations about this. This decision will increase the financial pressure on the people, the business cost of the industrial sector, and inflation will increase while the profit will decrease further.
A uniform electricity tariff is equivalent to unfairness to the consumers of better recovery areas. Where the recovery is better, the electricity should be cheaper, and the salaries of the concerned department should be better.
Mian Zahid Hussain further said that the electricity, gas, and oil systems have been deliberately complicated. Hence, most people and the business community continue to pay silently without understanding it.
EFU General Insurance awarded 16th CSR Award 2024
EFU General Insurance Limited, the leading non-life insurer in Pakistan, was recently awarded with the 16th Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2024 at an event organised by the National Forum of Environment & Health at a local hotel. The award was presented by Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Ex-Senior Vice President FPCCI and MNA, to Ms. Ansa Azhar, Senior Executive Vice President, EFU General Insurance.
This laurel serves as yet another strong endorsement of EFU General’s enduring commitment to the relentless advancement of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It stands as a testament to EFU General’s steadfast dedication to fostering positive social impact, promoting sustainable practices, and uplifting communities.
Security papers reports record 151% increase in profit for nine months
Security Papers Limited is pleased to announce its unaudited financial results for the nine months ended March 31, 2024, with a record profit of Rs 1,083 million, representing a 151% increase from Rs 431 million in the same period last year.
The Company’s outstanding performance was driven by successful pricing negotiations, improved operational efficiencies, and timely investments in its portfolio. Net sales increased by 46% to Rs 5,297 million, compared to Rs 3,616 million in the same period last year. The sale volumes were at 3070 tons as against 3038 same period last year whereas production was 3157 tons vs 3177 tons same period last year.
Reflecting on the Company’s vision to ensure efficient cost management and to achieve enhanced operational efficiency, SPL reported gross profit soared by 136% to Rs 1,483 million, up from Rs 628 million in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
Company’s profit before taxation stood at Rs 1,756 million, a remarkable 165% increase from Rs 662 million last year.
SPL Chairman Aftab Manzoor expressed enthusiasm about the financial results, stating, “We are thrilled to report another exceptional quarter, driven by our relentless focus on operational and procurement excellence, strategic investments, and customer-centric approach. Our team’s tireless efforts have enabled us to deliver record profits, and we are confident that our robust strategy will continue to drive growth and value creation for our stakeholders.”
The Company is confident that its robust strategy and timely actions will continue to drive growth despite challenging economic conditions. SPL is also working on various initiatives, including a manufacturing excellence program, and is closely coordinating with key stakeholders to contribute to the upcoming launch of a new banknote series.
Dubai Islamic Bank Signs Tripartite MOU for RAAST Payment to Merchant (P2M)
Dubai Islamic Bank, ARY Services & MAK Global have collaborated and signed a tri-partite MOU to launch RAAST P2M (Payment to Merchants) services in Pakistan. Signing Ceremony was held at Dubai Islamic Bank Head Office in Karachi. The MOU was signed by Wamiq Rizvi Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank, Haji Muhammad Iqbal, Chairman ARY Group and Haider Rizvi CEO, MAK Global in the presence of Senior Executives from the respective organizations.
This collaboration will revolutionize Digital Payment acceptance for all type of merchants and businesses in Pakistan. The game changing initiative is part of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) working to boost Financial Inclusion in the country while giving merchants an offering of instant payment system at a very nominal cost.
Mega version of Syngenta’s ‘Cropwise Grower’ app for Pakistani farmers opened
Syngenta Pakistan Limited, a leading agriculture innovation and technology company that provides crop protection, seeds, and digital services to millions of Pakistani farmers, has launched the mega version of ‘Cropwise Grower’ mobile application in a high-powered meeting which was graced by Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister of State for IT & Telecommunication, as the chief guest.
Cropwise Grower app is a free-of-cost, highly innovative digital solution to engage & advise the Pakistani farmers to enhance their farm productivity offering multiple features including instant detection & diagnosis of crop-diseases, pests & other threats to the crops. Covering over 3 million acres of farmland, the app’s ‘Scan, Detect and Diagnose’ feature called Crop Doctor is powered by the most advanced ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) based mechanism which provides a one-stop solution to farmers to identify crop problems and address these problems efficiently. ‘Cropwise Grower’ offers several other valuable facilities such as e-commerce module for online ordering of products, ‘Naya Savera’ franchise locations and a deeper understanding of spraying-windows, based on localized weather information and evolving environment. Besides recommending products suitable for various crop-growth stages, it provides crop-management information and tutorials on timely identification of pests & disease.
Appreciating Syngenta’s efforts in bringing digital technologies closer to the farmers and sharing the groundbreaking initiatives of the government in this space, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared: “Agritech has an essential role to play in enhancing Pakistan’s agricultural productivity, promoting economic well-being of the farmers and ensuring country’s food security. In this regard, Digitalisation and Agriculture are among the top priorities of the government and we are devising strategic initiatives and policy frameworks to facilitate all stakeholders especially our farmers to benefit from the emerging technological solutions. It is good to see that Syngenta Pakistan is investing in digitalisation of the agriculture sector to bring useful offerings closer to the farmers in the form of their Cropwise application and e-Commerce facility.”
The Country General Manager Syngenta Pakistan, Zeeshan Hasib Baig stated: “Syngenta Pakistan’s core strength lies in its close relationship with the growers. To further strengthen this connection with our growers, we are delighted to share the Cropwise Grower app which brings smart solutions closer to farmers and enables them to be more self-sufficient. Resonating with the worthy comments of the Honourable Minister about the importance of agritech in our country’s development, we at Syngenta believe that technology can be a key enabler in helping farmers grow efficiently and sustainably. The Cropwise Grower app is a revolutionary step in the crop protection industry and we firmly believe that it will help in addressing Pakistan’s food security challenges by building resilient food systems and by supporting our farmers in improving their crop yields for better returns on their investment.”
National Foods aims to reduce Pakistan’s dependency on imported raw materials
National Foods Limited (NFL) has embarked on a remarkable journey of import substitution through project ‘Seed To Table’. By means of formal partnerships with progressive farm-managing companies, National Foods Limited aims to empower local farmers and fortify Pakistan’s agri value chain.
NFL, fueled by the vision of reshaping Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, launched the ‘Seed to Table’ project in August 2023 with a vision to reduce the country’s dependency on imported raw materials, particularly the annual import of tomato paste amounting to USD 10 million. Through the dedicated efforts of all stakeholders in the project including farmers, tomato seeds were cultivated in September 2023 over 500 acres in different parts of Sindh. The harvests started in February this year, yielding around 8,000 tonnes of premium-quality tomatoes so far.
“The revolutionary ‘Seed To Table’ project has already saved US$2 million with a realised localidation potential of around US$10 million. It presents us with opportunity to export in a US$10 billion+ market,” This was stated by Abrar Hasan, Global CEO of National Foods Limited (NFL) while addressing the Pakistan Agriculture Connection Expo & Conference 2024 in Lahore.
The project aims to empower local farmers ensuring their continued growth and prosperity through formal partnerships with progressive farm-managing companies including Syngenta, Ibtida Ventures, Vital Green, Indus Acres, Kevlaar, Al-Rahim Agri Processing, Farmdar, Farmevo, and Salaam Takaful.
“Even in its early stage, the ‘Seed to Table’ project has exceeded our expectations and we are incredibly proud of the results,” said Abrar Hasan, adding that NFL aims to double the acreage next year and will continue to expand further. “By taking control of the entire supply chain, we’ve ensured a consistent supply of high-quality fresh tomatoes directly to NFL’s production facilities. We are dedicated to building upon the success of the ‘Seed to Table’ project by replicating this model with other key ingredients like red chilies, further strengthening domestic agriculture, and reducing reliance on imports,” he added.
It is worth mentioning here that the country produces approximately 144,000 tonnes of red chilies annually. In contrast, over 20,000 tonnes of red chili have to be imported per year to meet specific industry requirements. Similar to the tomato yield project, NFL has already forged partnerships with esteemed entities for red chili cultivation.
It is important to mention that National Foods has been an integral player in the food sector for over five decades, offering a comprehensive portfolio of 250 products over 12 key categories, in Pakistan and 40 countries across five continents.
Frieslandcampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL), a global dairy leader, recently participated in the two-day agri-connections expo in Lahore.
Frieslandcampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL), a global dairy leader, recently participated in the two-day agri-connections expo in Lahore. At the event, the company showcased its commitment to sustainable dairy practices and the enhancement of farmer livelihoods. the FCEPL team also shared global dairy best practices and discussed ways to support and empower farmers. dedicated to its purpose of ‘Nourishing Pakistan,’ the company is committed to improving the lives of farmers, empowering rural women in the dairy value chain, producing in balance with nature, and nourishing millions of Pakistani’s every day by providing safe, healthy, and accessible nutrition.
