ICCI calls for formulation of policy

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry has called upon the government to formulate a national livestock and dairy policy in consultation with stakeholders to realize the actual economic potential of livestock and dairy sector for the benefit of the country.

President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Amir Waheed, said that livestock was contributing over 58% to the agriculture GDP while Pakistan was third largest milk producer in the world producing over 50 billion liters of milk annually, but livestock and dairy sector was facing many problems due to which it could not achieve growth and development up to its real potential.

He said over 7.5 million families were directly involved in livestock farming and the livelihood of around 40-45 million people was directly dependent on livestock farming, which showed its importance for the country. He said government should address the key problems of livestock and dairy sector on priority basis for its revival and cooperate with dairy farmers to produce value added dairy products that would not only boost the rural economy, it but would contribute substantially towards a healthy and prosperous Pakistan.

Muhammad Naveed Senior Vice President and Nisar Mirza Vice President ICCI said that government should reduce electricity tariffs for livestock and dairy farmers, abolish duties on the import of dairy machinery and raw materials. They said government should also reduce 10% sales tax on local manufacturing of milk power and provide exemption of income tax that would facilitate early revival of livestock and dairy sector in the country and help in better economic growth of the country.