Ambassadors from cotton producing African countries call on Governor

LAHORE: A delegation from the cotton producing African counties including four ambassadors called on Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana at the Governor's House here on Wednesday.

The ambassadors included Eloi Laourou, Dieudonne Windewouga Sesire, Ngarbatinan and Mamodou Henri from Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali ,respectively. Pakistan's representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dr Tauqir Shah was also present during the meeting.

Cotton Commissioner Ministry of National Food Security and Research Dr Khalid Abdullah and members from the All Pakistan Textile Manufacturers Association (APTMA) also attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said cotton is one of the important crops of Pakistan, adding Pakistan is the fourth largest cotton producing country of the world. He said the government had provided 100 billion rupees subsidy to the farmers.

Rajwana said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and rejects negative propaganda against others. He said our cause and goal was common and it was our common interest to benefit from the experiences of one another for the increase of cotton produce.

The governor said millions of people were associated with the cotton industry in Pakistan, adding that these people were playing an important in the economy of the country. He said Pakistan earned huge foreign exchange from cotton and cotton related products.

Rajwana lauded the role of APTMA in cotton processing. Governor Rafique Rajwana also responded to the queries of the visiting delegates from the African countries.