ISLAMABAD: Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project LTEC International Agriculture Development Co Ltd and Wiztec Food Solutions Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionising Pakistan’s chilli industry.
The signing ceremony in this connection was held here on Tuesday, which was attended by Yang Guangyuan, Minister Counsellor from the Embassy of China; Naghmana Hashmi, former ambassador of Pakistan to China and EU; and Akaml Siddique, technical advisor Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Also present were key figures from the involved companies, including Hassan Raza, managing director of PCICL; Duan Hongjun, CEO of LTEC; and Ahmad Farman, AVP Business Development at Wiztec.
Spearheaded by Huang Pei and Shoaib Awan, this partnership capitalises on LTEC’s agricultural expertise and Wiztec’s prowess in dehydration services. Renowned for its pioneering Chinese Chilli Contract Farming project, which serves as the flagship initiative of the second phase of the CPEC, LTEC aims to facilitate Pakistani businesses’ access to the expansive Chinese market and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
Now, LTEC joins forces with Wiztec Food Solutions, a leader in dehydration services, to propel the industrialisation and modernisation of chilli production in Pakistan.
Wiztec Food Solutions operates Pakistan’s largest food-grade dehydration plant, powered by renewable energy. Their innovative high-pressure steam dehydration process complemented by continuous conveyor belts and conditioning, preserves flavour and colour better than traditional methods. Wiztec enjoys robust support for research and development, scalability, and product quality enhancements as a subsidiary of Almoiz Industries, a prominent agribusiness group.
Under the collaborative agreement: (i) Wiztec will streamline the dehydration process of fresh chillies, ensuring efficiency in processing. (ii) Both entities are committed to a substantial increase in business volume over the next five years, aiming for up to 50,000 tons.
Huang Pei, LTEC’s Commercial Head, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to embark on this journey to modernise Pakistan’s chilli industry. Our collaboration with Wiztec Food Solutions signifies a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionise agricultural practices in the region.”
Shoaib Awan, Business Unit Head of Wiztec Food Solutions, echoed this sentiment, emphasising their joint commitment to innovation and sustainability. He stated, “This collaboration underscores our dedication to agricultural innovation and sustainability. Together with LTEC, we aim to enhance productivity and profitability for farmers while meeting the growing demands of the market.”
Effective immediately, this MoU heralds a new era of collaboration in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, promising sustainable growth and innovation. With five-year duration and provisions for extension, the agreement lays a robust foundation for mutual success.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024