The United States Agency for Intemational Development (USAID) hosted a dinner in Islamabad this evening to showcase Pakistan as a regional and global hub for quality halal meat and vegetables. The event, attended by participants in the fifth-annual Intemational Halal Conference and Exhibition, highlighted recent industry achievements following the adoption of Pakistan’s Halal Authority Act of 201 5.

The Punjab Halal Development Authority and Ministry of Science and Technology co—sponsored the dinner along with USAID’s U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development.

“The Pakistani meat industry has the potential to become one of the leading exporters of halal food, which represents aroughly $650 billion global market,” said USAID Mission Director John Groarke. “Through the U.S.-Pakistan Partnershipfor Agricultural Market Development, the United States and Pakistan are collaborating to boost the domestic andintemational sales of Pakistani agricultural products.”

USAID launched the U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development in February 2015 to increaseproduction and sales of products including meat, vegetables, mangoes, and citrus. This partnership promotes cooperation among farmers, processers, exporters, and buyers of agricultural products from Pakistan.