April 30, 2019
Contact: Krish Das
Phone: 021-3527-5000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Consul General Karachi attended the first-ever U.S. Pulses Seminar in Pakistan
Karachi: On April 30, Consul General JoAnne Wagner attended the first-ever U.S. Pulses Seminar titled “USA Pulses – the Standard for Quality” in Karachi. The seminar was organized in collaboration between FAS Islamabad and the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council.
The seminar provided opportunity to the U.S. industry visiting Pakistan for the first time and presented production, consumption, and export outlook for U.S. pulses, while the Pakistani industry discussed market opportunities and challenges. The seminar highlighted U.S. Pulses exports to Pakistan and its continued expansion. The selling advantage of the U.S. Pulses is the high and consistent quality that U.S. agriculture can provide to Pakistan. The opportunities for trade between the two countries are truly endless.
Pakistan is now among the top ten importers in the world for each of the cool season pulses (i.e., chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas). Imports from the United States mostly consist of chickpeas, lentils, and yellow peas. The U.S. pulse industry believes that exports to Pakistan will grow steadily over the next several years.
“The relationship between Pakistani buyers and U.S. suppliers should be cultivated to build an understanding of each other needs and capabilities as well as establish mutual trust in doing business together,” Consul General Joanne Wagner said.
“We are very proud to be working with USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, their members, and the Pakistan Pulses Importers Association,” said Casey Bean, Agricultural Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. “Whether part of a traditional Pakistani meal or something uniquely American, I am sure that our pulses will find a welcome spot at the table.”
Also present on the occasion were Jeffery Pevenage, President and CEO, Columbia Grain International, Brett Melvin, Trader, Maviga Incorporation, Jeffrey Rumney, Vice President of Marketing, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council and the American Pulse Association, Joel Woodward, Business Development Manager, AgriSource Co. Ltd, Anis Majid, Chairman, Bombi’s Group and Patron-in-Chief of Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA), and Muhammad Ahmed, CEO, AWAM Group and President of Pakistan Pulses Importers Association (PPIA).
