A Pakistani mango diplomacy event
By Roy Lie Atjam
The Pakistani Embassy in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Diplomat Magazine, hosted a Mango festival on the lawns of Pakistan House on the prestigious Plein 1813 in The Hague in September 2021.
Addressing the participants, Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar said that Pakistan is the fifth largest producer of mangoes in the world. In the last financial year, Pakistan earned more than US$ 122 million from mango exports. Pakistan’s mango exports to the Netherlands stood at US$ 600000, which is an increase of 125% as compared to 2019-2020.
Referring to Pakistan’s rice exports, the Ambassador said that Pakistan is the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world. Pakistani basmati rice is unique in the world in terms of taste and aroma. It is currently the largest exporter of basmati rice in the European Union.
The Ambassador of Pakistan also paid tribute to the martyrs and personnel of the Armed Forces of Pakistan on the occasion of Defence Day.
Apart from Pakistani mangoes and their dishes, the guests were also served with biryani. Participants were also displayed an introductory video about ‘Pakistani Tourist Destinations’. The Ambassador of Pakistan mentioned that Pakistani tourist destinations have a unique place in the world. He invited the people of the Netherlands to visit Pakistan.
The participants enjoyed the taste, quality of Pakistani mangoes and rice. Prior to the festival, the President of Pakistan Mr. Arif Alvi, also sent a gift of mangoes to the dignitaries of the Netherlands. The Ambassador of Pakistan also thanked the Pakistani exporters and expressed the hope that they would continue their efforts to promote Pakistani products.
Generally, the festival celebrates the arrival of the mango season and the distinctly sweet Pakistani mangoes that come with it. The guests had been invited to personal sample the various mango and mango treats.
On the menu
- Mango shake, mango cream cracker,
- Chicken Biryani (Basmati rice), mango salad, raita.
- Mango cheesecake, mango trifle, mango kheer, mango kulfi.
- Mango tea, soft drinks, mango juice.
A lively atmosphere reigned at the festival, true to Pakistani hospitality. The 17th Annual Pakistan Mango Festival attracted many members of the Diplomatic corps: Ambassadors from Costa Rica, Cameroon, Croatia, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Panama, Diplomats from Malaysia, Indonesia, Burundi, Belarus and many others. The festival was also attended by importers and members of the Pakistani diaspora. Mango farms in Pakistan were well represented by Progressive Mango Growers Group LUTFABAD and Multan Mango Growers association.
The Ambassador also thanked the Pakistani exporters and expressed the hope that they would continue their efforts to promote Pakistani products.
