Tunisia looks forward to collaborate with Pakistan in olive sector

Tunisia ready to share its technical expertise with Pakistan in the field of oil cultivation and olive oil industry, says Ambassador of Tunisia

By:Naveed Ahmad Khan

Photo By : Sultan Bashir

ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador of Tunisia to Pakistan, Borhene El Kamel hosted a reception in the honor of Abdellatif Ghedira, Executive Director of the International Olive Council (IOC). The reception was attended by Andleeb Abbas, member of the National Assembly & Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors, Dr Khair Muhammad Kakar MD, Pakistan Oilseed Department, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Shakeel Munir and President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Nadeem Rauf, large number of top officials of the Pakistani government and sector professionals from producers, suppliers and media men also attended.

Mounir Fourati was also present on the occasion, he earlier retired as Tunisian diplomat and then joined the IOC as the Head of the External Relations Department. Speaking on the occasion, Tunisian Ambassador Borhene El Kamel said that Abdellatif Ghedira, Executive Director of IOC is a Tunisian prominent expert in the field of agriculture and especially in olive plantation and olive oil industry, with an experience of more than 30 years. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director of the IOC, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Tunisian National Olive Office and the Head of Staff of the office of the Tunisian Minister of Agriculture.

The Ambassador informed the gathering that “Olive cultivation in Tunisia dated back to the 8th century BC, even before the founding of Carthage. Today, Tunisia is one of the leading world olive oil producer and exporter. Tunisia is the largest world exporter of organic olive oil. Tunisian olive oils have won the medals in almost all international competitions and labeled as one of the best olive oil in the world”. He added that olive tree is a historic, blessed and holy tree, as it is mentioned in the Holy Quran. It is also a symbol of peace and friendship. Borhene El Kamel said olive oil is also considered today by far as the healthiest cooking oil in the world. It is cholesterol free; it has a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents heart diseases and it is beneficial for fighting obesity, diabetes, hypertension, alzheimer and much more. “Olive oil has also amazing benefits for skin, hair and nails.

Something I did not know before coming to Pakistan is that Pakistanis who suffer from insomnia use olive oil to help them fell asleep”, he added. Ambassador of Tunisia further said that “Tunisia with similar climate of some regions in Pakistan particularly Balochistan is ready to share its technical expertise and know how in the field of oil cultivation and olive oil industry. At an Embassy, we are ready to work with all relevant Pakistani authorities to achieve this objective and to put in contact olive oil importers with prominent Tunisian companies. We are looking forward to collaborating with the Pakistani exporters”. “Pakistan government is taking it serious now and that is why we are here to provide support to the government in getting certification of olive oil, installing laboratories, and to plant the varieties suitable to Pakistani environment,” said Director IOC Abdellatif Ghedira while talking to the Spokesman on the occasion.

Ghedira said the IOC had invited Pakistan in the next meeting as an observer member to mull over offering Pakistan full membership. Keeping in view Pakistan’s huge potential and commitment in promoting olive sector, the IOC Director said “we are also looking forward to include Pakistan as a regular member state of the Council”. It is pertinent to mention that the IOC is the world’s only international intergovernmental organization in the field of olive oil and table olives. It was set up in Madrid, Spain in 1959 under the auspices of the United Nations. Ghedira said currently the IOC had 17 member countries which include the leading international producers and exporters of olive oil and table olives. The IOC producer members account for 98% of world olive production, located primarily in the Mediterranean region.

Meanwhile, talking to the Spokesman, MD POSDB Dr. Khair Muhammad Kakar expressed the hope that in the upcoming meeting, Pakistan would fulfill the required criteria to at least become a provisional member of IOC. He said once Pakistan becomes a member state, it would be able to avail facilities provided by the IOC including installing oil extraction units in the country. He said the quality of Pakistan’s oil was one of the best in the world and that the percentage of oil extraction was as high as 29% in some areas of Balochistan while the world average extraction is only 12 to 18%. Further, he said after getting the membership, Pakistan would get a certification of oil that would help winning trust of the world market.

He said the majority of imported olive oil currently available in the market was not certified which meant there was no guarantee of being 100% pure oil. Khair Muhammad informed that the government was spending Rs 4 billion to install five stateof- the-art laboratories to make the sector more efficient. He said the IOC encouraged international technical cooperation on research and development projects, training, and the transfer of technology besides enhancing the environmental impact of olive growing and the olive industry. National Project Director Olive Dr. Muhammad Tariq on the occasion said that on the basis of new research, the government to plant olive trees over an area of 75000 acres during the next three years. Visitors enjoyed traditional Tunisian cuisines and praised arrangements of the hosts made on the occasion.