Pakistani to benefit from Belarusian agricultural machinery to enhance mechanization, productivity

A high-level delegation from the Republic of Belarus met with the President and CEO of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) at the bank’s head office in Islamabad. The delegation included Sergei Stolyarchuk, Chairman of the Bank of Development of Belarus; Vadim Shagoiko, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food; and Ilya Kanapliou, Trade Counsellor at the Belarusian Embassy in Pakistan.
ZTBL’s President/CEO, Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti, warmly welcomed the Belarusian delegation. During their discussions, the delegation shared detailed insights into Belarus’s agriculture sector, a vital component of the country’s economy. They emphasized that agricultural and livestock exports are significant contributors to Belarus’s foreign exchange earnings, showcasing strengths in agricultural mechanization, heavy machinery production, and livestock development. Belarus is particularly recognized for its advanced farming practices and high-quality agricultural machinery, including tractors.
The Belarusian representatives proposed potential collaboration with ZTBL, suggesting that Pakistani farmers could benefit from Belarusian agricultural machinery to enhance mechanization and productivity in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. They expressed a strong interest in investing in various projects in Pakistan and indicated that they would share a detailed proposal with ZTBL.
In response, President/CEO Bhatti presented an overview of Pakistan’s agriculture sector and ZTBL’s crucial role in supporting small and subsistence farmers. He highlighted that ZTBL recently disbursed PKR 33 billion in agricultural loans under the Prime Minister’s Kissan Package, with over PKR 10 billion allocated for farm mechanization. He underscored ZTBL’s extensive outreach through more than 500 branches, supported by a dedicated team of Mobile Credit Officers and Branch Managers who provide financial and advisory services directly to farmers.
Both parties stressed the importance of further cooperation, particularly in introducing Belarusian agricultural machinery to Pakistani farmers. Bhatti reaffirmed ZTBL’s commitment to exploring joint ventures, guided by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, and the State Bank of Pakistan, aimed at uplifting small farmers and advancing the rural economy.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continue collaboration, leveraging ZTBL’s extensive network and Belarus’s expertise in agricultural technology and mechanization.