ISLAMABAD, 30 (INP): Representatives of around 80 stake-holders at their meeting held here decided to work together for promoting livestock and diary industry in the country.

Under Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) it was decided that the small and medium enterprises in Sindh and Baluchistan associated with livestock, dairy and horticulture will be strengthened to achieve the desired results within a short span of time.

According to a report of Gwadar Pro media network, GRASP is funded by European Union in Pakistan and is implemented by International Trade Centre (ITC).

The discussion at the meeting focused on the identification of priority products in the horticulture, livestock and dairy sectors that need urgent attention through the joint efforts of stake-holders.

In addition, key issues such as producers' capabilities, support services,policy and regulatory environment also came under discussion. Meanwhile, Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor for Commerce, Textile, Industries, Production and Investment said in a statement Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up the bulk of businesses in Pakistan.

In order to achieve coherent, broad-based and sustainable economic growth, there is a need to focus on SMEs and unleash the potential in livestock and horticulture besides other sectors in the country and GRASP comes at the most appropriate time when Pakistan is geared toward improvement in these sectors.

Milko Van Gool,Head of Cooperation, EU in Pakistan said GRASP aligns with the rural development and economic cooperation initiatives of the European Union in Pakistan as it will help SMEs in horticulture, livestock and dairy sectors become more competitive by making improvements at all levels of the value chains.These consultations will help us adapt to the federal and provincial context in Pakistan for maximum impact on the lives of people in Sindh and Baluchistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Robert Skidmore,Chief Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness International Trade Centre expressed that contributions of partners in this first round of consultations will help achieve a measurable reduction in poverty and increase in economic growth in addition to creation of more job opportunities in the country.

Livestock, dairy and horticulture - which account for 70% of value-added agriculture - have particularly strong potential for growth,climate adaptation and increased participation of women.Small and medium-sized enterprises in these two sectors,face major challenges.

GRASP will help small and medium-sized enterprises in horticulture and livestock become more competitive by making improvements at all levels of the value chain. The nine month inception phase of the project began in June 2019.

INP/JAVED