AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
ISLAMABAD
 

4 May 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Australian Trade and Investment Strategy towards Pakistan

As a part of the Australian Government’s overall trade and investment objectives in Pakistan, Austrade seeks to identify opportunities and to partner with Pakistan Government and private sector agencies in key industry sectors where Australia can clearly present value to build capability and develop sustainable business propositions.

 Following are particular sectors where Austrade sees good opportunities:

• Education and training, with increasing focus and delivery of in-market training to develop “work ready” graduates across vocational sectors to meet global demand for trained and skilled workers. This can cover a range of sectors including agribusiness, tourism and hospitality, health and medical, infrastructure and importantly mining and energy sectors. By way of example, Australia is working to deliver vocational training in the mining and energy sectors to support and produce graduates that will be positioned to meet global shortages of workers to deliver key resource projects.
• In the resources and energy sectors, Austrade is keen to bring Australian expertise into the development of Pakistan’s abundant natural resources. In addition to mining expertise, this includes the “Mining Equipment & Technical Services” (METS) areas. As an example, Australian companies have approached Austrade seeking assistance and introduction to opportunities in Pakistan to explore and potentially develop “shale gas” resources. This is in response to geological data developed and an expectation that Pakistan may hold significant reserve opportunities for shale gas energy.
• Agribusiness presents enormous opportunities for collaboration between Australia and Pakistan. We share many similar climatic and land conditions. An example of successful collaboration already well known is with Australian supply of dairy cattle, together with farm, herd and milk production expertise that has seen the quality and quantity of milk produced from farms that have partnered with Australia now presenting best-in-class supply to Pakistan milk producers and value add companies such as Nestle and others. With dairy gaining increasing awareness, participation and recognition we are moving to other sectors of opportunity.
• The citrus growing region of Pakistan produces a fruit crop of 2 million tones - four times that of Australia. Regrettably, the sector suffers losses up to 40% in wastage through handling, storage and cool change management, as well as a lack of value-added manufacturing options and alternatives. Australia is in an ideal position to support the Pakistan citrus industry though its citrus expertise, particularly offering improved crop yield and to present value add manufacturing options including juice processing facilities that will deliver increased fresh juice supply to Pakistan, and additionally create and develop export markets, especially to the nearby Gulf region.

With the support of the Punjab Government and Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT), Austrade will support a collaboration between Pakistan citrus growers, Australian citrus and juicing company expertise, and Middle East investment for third-market distribution of juice products from fruit that has until now largely gone to waste. This week Mr Jeff Knispel the CEO of Australian citrus company Nippys Juice, together with Mr Gerard Carroll of Dubai based investment company Enshaa, and with facilitation by Pakistan expatriate businessman Mr Javed Majid, undertook a visit to Pakistan inspecting citrus growing regions, packing and juicing operations and to commence key discussions at Government and industry level to bring juicing expertise to Pakistan. This will support development of the industry presenting higher crop returns to farmers, employment opportunities and supply of quality juice products within Pakistan and to export markets
 

Prepared by Austrade
4 May 2012