FML to build a state of the art slaughterhouse

DT News Network 
Manama

Pakistan is setting up its largest, state of the art, slaughterhouse at Port Bin Qasim to meet the meat requirements of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries especially Bahrain, revealed Muhammed Ahad, the Head of Chancery (HOC), Pakistan Embassy in an exclusive interview with DT News on Sunday, June 21, 2015.

Ahad said that the proposed slaughterhouse is being built by Fauji Meat Limited (FML) with an estimated cost of 60 million US dollar and the facility would start production by September this year. “To explore potential customers, an FML team will visit Bahrain soon after Ramadan. They will meet traders, importers and certifying bodies here,” he said.

He said that the facility was spread over 47 acres including plant and a threeday animal holding area. “Daily production of the plant will be 100 ton in both frozen and chilled categories,” he added.

Ahad said that Pakistan has the capacity to export as much meat as the GCC states required. He said that Pakistan has the second largest buffalo population, the fourth largest goat population, eighth largest cattle population and the ninth largest sheep population in the world. He said that apart from meat sector, Pakistan was also hopeful to regain its lost position in the rice market of Bahrain.

He said that the mission arranged high-level meetings of rice exporters with the government officials as well as Bahraini and Pakistani businessmen during their recent visit to Bahrain. “Mission is also planning to hold food and biryani festival in October here in Bahrain,” said Ahad. He also said that the embassy was trying to strengthen PakBahrain trade and culture relationship by arranging high level visits of delegates from Pakistan.

He said that three high level delegations had visited Bahrain within the last one month and it was a clear of proof of fast growing trade and culture relations between the two countries. Ahad added that a seven member fashion delegation was also coming to Bahrain very soon.