Potential in Pakistani processing

French investors are looking to secure joint ventures in the Pakistani meat processing and packing industry, according to the Daily Times​ of Pakistan.

A seven-member delegation from the French Association for the Development of International Exchanges of Food and Agricultural Products and Technologies (ADEPTA) met with Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the country's privatisation and investment minister, this week at the Board of Investments (BoI) head office.

A statement from the BoI claimed that the French investors were convinced about Pakistan's potential in the field of agriculture, agro-food industry, food processing and packing and that they were keen to establish joint ventures with their counterparts in Pakistan.

Shaikh stated that there was a tremendous scope for promoting bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries and added that Pakistan had adopted pro-business and investment policies and the climate for business was very conducive.

"Pakistan now enjoys positive image in the comity of nations, which is evident from the existence of over 600 foreign enterprisers operational in Pakistan,"​ he said.

Shaikh was also keen to highlight the liberal investment and privatisation policies of Pakistan. There is no restriction in establishing joint ventures with local private sector businesses in the country, he said, and all sectors are open for foreign investment.

The minister went on to claim that there was no discrimination between domestic and foreign investors in terms of taxation, and that a level playing field existed for all investors.

The French delegation is set to attend the Lahore Investment Conference in February next year, and will hold an exhibition of French machinery for the agro-food industry. ADEPTA​ represents 200 French companies offering various services in the field of agriculture and trading.