LAHORE: Pakistan’s food industry is being offered a new platform to expand beyond the domestic market as more than 1,000 local and international companies gather in Lahore for the International Food Asia Expo, showcasing products, processing technologies and packaging solutions aimed at meeting growing global demand for safe and quality food.
The three-day event, inaugurated by Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister Salma Butt and Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Mansoor Ahmad, has attracted more than 80 international delegations from 15 countries, providing local food businesses an opportunity to interact with foreign buyers and explore export markets.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Salma Butt said the expo was part of efforts to bring imports, exports and trade under a more integrated food-sector ecosystem.
She said the focus was no longer limited to food production, but also extended to food-grade packaging, nutrition, food safety and improving the capacity of local businesses to compete in international markets.
“Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are together in Lahore today,” she said, highlighting the participation of businesses and stakeholders from across the country.
Salma said more than 1,000 brands would have the opportunity to benefit from developments in modern food processing and packaging, adding that the initiative could help Pakistani products gain greater recognition in international markets.
She said ensuring safe and quality food remained a priority of the Punjab government, with the PFA continuing inspections of food outlets and production units ranging from small businesses to large-scale food manufacturers.
“The chief minister’s position is clear: Punjab has to be made free from adulteration,” she said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026