A distinguished delegation from the Embassy of France, led by Dr. François Gary, visited the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) Head Office and exchanged expert views on food safety, livestock, and agricultural inputs.
The delegation called on Mr. Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti, President/CEO ZTBL. The visiting dignitaries were given a comprehensive overview of the bank’s operations through a documentary presentation, followed by a visit to ZTBL’s Farm and Staff College.
The French delegation included Dr. François Gary, Managing Partner of PHYLUM-a globally renowned management consulting and IT-based company in France; Mr. Laurent Chopiton, Head of the Economic Department at the French Embassy; Mr. Luc Boyer, Deputy Economic Counsellor and Ms. Leonora Dalloshi from the French Embassy.
ZTBL, the country’s largest and premier agricultural financing institution, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors. The Bank expressed its privilege in hosting Dr. François Gary, a renowned international expert in policy and strategy for food safety, animal health, and welfare. His consultancy work spans collaborations with private firms, national authorities, and global institutions including the World Bank, European Union, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
During his stay in Pakistan, Dr. François Gary is scheduled to visit all provincial headquarters in the country to engage with stakeholders on livestock development and food security.
President Bhatti later accompanied the delegation to ZTBL’s model agri farm, where they were briefed on the Bank’s initiatives such as demonstration plots for various crops, rain water harvesting integrated with drip irrigation project, kitchen gardening units, machinery for value addition of fruits & vegetables and fish farming.
The French delegation appreciated the steps taken by the bank for facilitating farmers in recent years, including the launch of its Mobile App, WhatsApp and Internet Banking services, and the widespread dissemination of financial literacy through arrangement of Zarai Baithaks across the country. They also lauded the Bank’s Mobile Van Service, which brings banking and advisory services to remote and underserved areas, reaching farmers who may be reluctant or unable to visit bank branches.
