Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Managing Director, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) today visited the Pakistan Pavilion at the ongoing Gulf Food Exhibition at the Dubai Trade Centre. The Director General applauded their efforts to help promote exports and interacted with the exhibitors while visiting various stalls of Pakistani products.
“We have specifically focused on improving the quality of our food and related foods, which is paying off in the form of a substantial increase in our exports in this sector. Given the ongoing trends, it is safe to assume that our food exports will cross USD 7 billion by the end of this financial year, which is in stark contrast to around USD 4 billion of annual exports in the sector earlier,” Mr. pointed out. Motiwala.
The Director General said that increasing the export of Pakistani products is the way to achieve economic prosperity and TDAP contributes significantly to this national goal. “It is extremely encouraging to say that there has been a remarkable increase of 300-400% in the export of sesame seeds this year. Pakistan’s rice exports will cross $3 billion compared to around $1.5 billion earlier,” Mr. Motiwala pointed out.
The CEO said that TDAP-assisted exporters have been participating in Gulf Food for the past few years and it is heartening to share that the number of Pakistani exhibitors is increasing every year. He further said that the participation of Pakistani exporters in the mega food exhibition is overwhelming.
During his visit, Mr. Motiwala met Chief Organizer Saudi Food and Mr. Jaffar Shubber, Business Director, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Center, who expressed great interest in the participation of Pakistani products in the upcoming Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exhibition. He also held a detailed meeting with the Dubai World Trade Center Organizing Committee including Ms Salima Dadla, Business Director Events & Exhibitions and Mr Andrew Burman, Sales Manager Senoir Exhibitions for allocating more space to Pakistan in future exhibitions.
“I am here to meet our exhibitors and hear their valuable input for further improvement towards increasing our exports. I am delighted to share that the Pakistani participants received an incredibly good response from potential importers and investors at the show,” said Motiwala.
A total of 100 Pakistani exhibitors are participating in the ongoing Gulf Food Festival, of which 45 are sponsored by TDAP while others are participating on self-sponsorship basis. The Director General was also accompanied by the Board of Trade, TDAP Director General and other senior officials of the Pakistan Diplomatic Mission in the UAE.
