On August 22, 2023, as a next critical step to the growth in Pakistan’s food and feed sector, a seminar was convened on the Principles of Extrusion and Technology for Feed and Food Production, sponsored by Extru-Tech, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Pakistan Extru-Tech Extruder Technology Seminar and Forum, the first-of-its-kind event, was held in Lahore, Pakistan, and focused primarily on aquafeed and pet food. The event, which included Extru-Tech staff of extruder experts in attendance and others presenting via video link, was also partially funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
According to Dr. Zahid Yaqub, international representative for Extru-Tech, based in Pakistan, over 120 people attended the opening session of the seminar, including multiple journalists and media. Dr. Yaqub added that Extru-Tech worked with the US Commerce Department through its Single Company Promotion Program to specifically invite select Pakistani companies, who received official invitations through the U.S. Embassy.
“We had a continued large attendance at the final session,” Dr. Yaqub related. “All of them either operated a fish feed facility or were involved directly or indirectly with fisheries. That included the Director Generals of Fisheries and Aquaculture from the country’s two most populous provinces; a couple of project directors of the Fisheries Development Board and significant representation from individuals from the universities’ academia community.”
“Almost all of the attendees came up to me afterward to express their appreciation of the contents, quality, depth of knowledge and expertise of each of the presenters and the presentation itself,” he adds. “During the break, a couple of corporate representatives even expressed an interest in diversifying to aquaculture or pet food after they complete an in-house study.”
Dr. Yaqub says the chairmen of three of the country’s largest poultry companies were also in attendance, taking notes through much of the seminar.
As Dr. Yaqub relates, developing countries like Pakistan are particularly interested in acquiring the flexibility to change aquafeed product as their business evolves, without the need for significant capital expenditures. Meanwhile, pet food manufacturers are not only looking at production to meet a growing market, but technology that allows them to safely incorporate fresh meats and high proteins. Dr. Yaqub stressed that Extru-Tech has products to address both issues and a proven track record of quality and reliability in Pakistan and markets around the world.
In addition, the attendees learned about the technical side of extrusion through presentations by Bob Anan and Dana Nelson. Ken Hutman presented on the financing options for purchasing extruders and related equipment, noting that multiple financing opportunities are available from the US Export Import Bank (Ex-Im) and the International Financial Corporation (IFC) as well as other sources, to make such purchases both affordable and economical.
Thanks to the success of the most recent Pakistan Extru-Tech Extruder Technology Seminar and Forum, a second Pakistan event is already being scheduled for Spring 2024.
