Pakistan to Receive Three Advanced Date Processing Plants from UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to build three state-of-the-art date processing plants in Pakistan, as part of a new cooperative agreement. The initiative, which aims to enhance Pakistan’s date industry, will be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), set to be signed soon.

This announcement followed a virtual meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and UAE representatives, including Ms. Simisola Nicola Abere. According to the plan, the processing plants will be established in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, which are key regions for date cultivation. Both sides have agreed to fast-track the project implementation after the MoU is signed, with the Ministry’s secretary tasked with overseeing coordination efforts.

Pakistan currently produces over 500,000 tonnes of dates annually from more than 100,000 hectares of farmland, generating more than $50 million in export revenue each year. The UAE, one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners for dates, is committed to accelerating the operational phase of the project as part of the broader bilateral cooperation framework.

Dates are considered one of the world’s oldest cultivated fruits, prized for their sweetness, taste, and numerous health benefits. They are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, making them a valuable dietary addition and a key export product for Pakistan.