MOU signing ceremony between ID&BOI and SMEDA and PAMCO
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—Investment Division & Board of Investment (ID&BOI) organized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony today. The Ceremony was presided over by the Minister for Privatization & Investment, Mr. Shahzada Alam Manoo while Secretary Industries & Special initiatives, Mr. Shahab Khawaja, Acting Secretary ID&BOI Major Retired Iqbal Ahmad, CEO Punjab Agri Marketing Company (PAMCO), Mr. Shahid Rashid, CEO, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) along with other ID&BOI officials were also present. .
During this ceremony two MOUs were signed by ID&BOI one with SMEDA and the other one with PAMCO, both aimed at extending support and cooperation in terms of facilitating investors in the horticulture sector of Pakistan.
SMEDA is a premier institution of the Government of Pakistan under Ministry of Industries, Production & Special initiative and with a very futuristic approach and professional management structure, it provides conducive environment and business development services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEDA IS not only an SME policy-advisory body for the Government of Pakistan but also facilitates other stakeholders in addressing their SME development agendas. Whereas, PAMCO is a public sector initiative with corporate sector dimensions and it not only assist investors to explore business opportunities in the agriculture sector and stimulate private sector investment in removing supply side constraints in the marketing and distribution of perishable agriculture produce but also aims at establishing an integrated cold chain infrastructure to promote the introduction of cutting edge technologies in value addition of agriculture produce of Pakistan.
The MOU between the BOI and PAMCO is intended to facilitate and develop internal expertise and products for horticulture financing so as to encourage farmers to adopt modern and efficient horticulture farming techniques.
Minister for Privatization & Investment, Mr. Shahzada Alam while addressing the participants of the meeting acknowledged the importance of such MOUs as they serve as a critical force of liaison to public private partnerships and also a source of rich dividend to the country in future.