The big picture:
The UAE and Pakistan have agreed to establish three date-processing plants in Pakistan under a cooperation framework aimed at boosting value addition, export quality, and agricultural innovation in the date industry.
What’s happening:
The initiative will focus on improving post-harvest handling, packaging, and export readiness of dates from Pakistan — one of the world’s top producers — enhancing market competitiveness across the Middle East and beyond.
Who’s involved:
- UAE delegation
- Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security & Research
- Local industries in Sindh and Balochistan
By the numbers:
- 500,000+ tonnes of dates produced annually in Pakistan
- New plants expected to process and add value for export-grade output
Why it matters:
The partnership underscores the UAE’s growing role in agricultural value chains abroad and reflects its investment diversification strategy beyond oil and real estate — strengthening food security and trade ties with South Asia.
