This seminar gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, exporters, processors, researchers, academia, representatives from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, government officials, and business support organizations, all from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
The event celebrated a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it marked the successful export of the first-ever batch of cherries from GB to China. Moreover, this accomplishment, seen as a turning point for the region’s horticulture industry, underscores the export potential of GB cherries and lays the foundation for future expansion.
Consequently, PHDEC’s CEO opened the seminar by welcoming attendees and reaffirming the organization’s strong dedication to advancing Gilgit-Baltistan’s horticultural sector.
He highlighted that following the success of the initial cherry exports to China, PHDEC is now launching a new initiative aimed at developing high-demand cherry varieties to further strengthen Pakistan’s global market presence.
Several key presentations were delivered, including by Mr. Iqbal Hussain from the Agriculture Department, Mr. Nazir Ali from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), exporters Faisal Mir and Arman Shah, and farmers’ representatives Chirag and Usman. Additionally, the discussions centered on the achievements of the initial exports, lessons learned, and strategies to scale up production and enhance the supply chain.
