ISLAMABAD: With support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 13 Pakistani agribusinesses will showcase high-quality halal meat, off-season vegetables, and kinnow mandarins at Gulfood Expo 2018 from February 18-22 in Dubai. Drawing more than 95,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors from over 120 countries, the Gulfood Expo is a leading international event for the global agriculture industry. Participation at the expo will help promote Pakistani agricultural exports and provide an opportunity for Pakistani agribusinesses to network with international buyers and sellers. USAID is also setting up a business-to-business trade facilitation centre for meetings and industry networking, which will help establish new market linkages between Pakistani exporters and international buyers. “To ensure that Pakistan’s agriculture sector continues to grow, breaking into viable international markets is critical,” said USAID Mission Director Jerry Bisson. “Through the US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development, USAID is working with the Pakistani private sector to boost the international competitiveness of high quality halal meat, off-season vegetables and kinnow mandarins. Gulfood 2018 is an excellent platform for Pakistani agribusinesses to showcase their produce and build strategic business relationships.” In addition, USAID has organised a four-day market exposure visit for nine Pakistani women entrepreneurs. The participants will visit wholesale markets and large retail supermarkets in Dubai to help enhance their understanding of the quality requirements for agricultural products in international markets. On February 20, the US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development and the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai will jointly host the Annual Pakistan Branding & Tasting Dinner for the business community and other potential buyers from the Gulf Cooperation Council. The guests will taste food prepared with high-quality Pakistani halal meat, fresh vegetables and kinnow mandarins from Pakistan. USAID’s US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development is working to boost international sales of Pakistani agricultural products including meat, vegetables, mango and citrus. This partnership enhances the technical capacity and production of agribusinesses and promotes cooperation between farmers, processers, exporters, service providers and buyers of agricultural products across Pakistan. Published in Daily Times, February 17th 2018.