Olives bring sustainable development to Pakistan

For over a decade, Pakistan and Italy have worked to create a sustainable olive oil sector in Pakistan’s rural provinces. In late November, representatives of both countries met at the PakOlive National Gala in Islamabad to strengthen cooperation. “Italy and Pakistan have a very good history and relationship,” Muhammad Ramzan Anser, an agronomist and the deputy project director at the Center of Excellence for Olive Research and Training (Cefort), told Olive Oil Times. “There is a great trust bridge between the two sides,” he added. ​“In fact, Italy opened a trade office in Pakistan this November during the PakOlive National Festival.” Anser describes the growth of Pakistan’s olive oil sector as a ​“hope” for the country. Given that Pakistan’s unemployment rate is 8.5 percent, about 15.51 million people in 2023, the olive oil sector promises to benefit many while boosting the country’s economy. “The relationship is mutually advantageous,” Muhammad Tariq, the national project ...