New development strategies to promote Pakistan’s economic resilience

A comprehensive set of new development strategies is set to transform Sindh’s key agricultural sectors: these include the dairy, meat, leather, and foot and mouth disease control sectors. Designed to address critical challenges, these strategies aim to enhance sectoral productivity, build robust value chains, and improve market access at both domestic and international levels.

The strategies were launched during an event held in Karachi on 18 November by the International Trade Centre (ITC), under its Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project, funded by the European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Livestock and Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh, Pakistan.

During the event, key presentations highlighted the transformative potential of these strategies, which were developed collaboratively by the Livestock and Fisheries Department and its partners. They align with broader objectives of fostering innovation, tackling sector-specific challenges, and unlocking new opportunities for economic growth in Sindh’s agricultural sectors.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for Education, Muhammad Ali Malkani, Minister for Livestock, and senior representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, such as Mario Ronconi, Head of Unit for South and Southeast Asia. Representing ITC, Robert Skidmore, Chief of Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness, underlined ITC’s commitment to supporting small businesses and driving sustainable economic growth through initiatives like GRASP.

The GRASP project, implemented by the International Trade Centre, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sindh and Balochistan. With its strong emphasis on inclusive and sustainable growth, GRASP supports rural communities, empowering them to build a resilient and dynamic SME ecosystem while contributing to Pakistan’s economic progress.

This initiative represents a vital step toward achieving ITC’s mission of fostering inclusive and sustainable development by linking trade, innovation, and capacity building.