Pakistan produces many dry fruits such as almonds, walnuts, raisins, pine nuts and pistachios, output stats of only almonds are compiled by the federal authorities and, as such, facts on the production status of the others remain either unavailable or too scattered.

According to the officials of KP’s provincial agriculture department where most dry fruits are grown, the army-led action in militant-infested areas has partly helped in the recovery of dry fruit cultivation.

They say that the output of walnuts and pine nuts seems to have increased, given the brisk activity in local markets where dry fruits are traded.

Of the total 16.5 million hectares of cultivable land in Punjab, a vast 1.7 million hectares is still available for corporate farming. Likewise, as much as 30% (3.4 MT) of horticultural produce that goes to waste every year, can be converted into economic gain by investing agribusiness value chain industries.

The average annual output of citrus fruits and apples, two main forex earners, has shown an increasing trend in the last ten years (FY06-FY15). The average annual production of mangoes, another major export item, witnessed a big jump during FY06-10 though it has faltered in the last five years, official stats reveal

Meanwhile, exports of fresh fruits, which are far larger than that of dry fruits and nuts, increased from $292m in FY11 to $438.5m in FY15 before taking a dip to $427m in FY16. In four months of this fiscal year, the country earned $122m through exports of fresh fruits

Exporters say if the kinnow export target of $200m is met then total fruit exports in FY17 may reach $450m

The first Investment Policy by Board of Investment (BOI) was given in 1997 which opened services, social, infrastructure and agriculture sectors for foreign and local investors. It was a major step forward for integration of Pakistan’s economy into international markets as prior to this policy; foreign investment was restricted to manufacturing sector only. The 1997 Policy laid a solid foundation for the gains in FDI inflows experienced over the subsequent decade.

Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan increased by 2761.10 USD Million in 2016. Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan averaged 2651.26 USD Million from 2010 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 3184.30 USD Million in 2010 and a record low of 2099.10 USD Million in 2012.

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