ISLAMABAD – May 7, 2025: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) welcomed a distinguished delegation from the Embassy of France, led by Dr. François Gary, to its Head Office for an exchange of 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 comprised Dr. François Gary, Managing Partner at PHYLUM—a globally recognized management consulting and IT-based firm 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.
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ZTBL, the country’s largest and premier agricultural financing institution, extended a warm welcome to the delegation and expressed its privilege in hosting Dr. Gary—an international expert in policy and strategy for food safety, animal health, and welfare.
His consultancy portfolio includes collaborations with prominent organizations such as 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 visit to Pakistan, Dr. Gary is scheduled to engage with stakeholders across all provincial headquarters to discuss livestock development and food security initiatives.
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President Bhatti accompanied the delegation to ZTBL’s model agri farm, where they were briefed on various bank-led initiatives. These include demonstration plots for diverse crops, a rainwater harvesting system integrated with drip irrigation, kitchen gardening units, machinery for value addition of fruits and vegetables, and fish farming.
The French delegation appreciated ZTBL’s progressive efforts in supporting farmers, including the launch of its Mobile App, WhatsApp and Internet Banking services, and the nationwide outreach through Zarai Baithaks for financial literacy.
They also lauded the Bank’s Mobile Van Service, which delivers banking and advisory services to remote and underserved communities, helping farmers who might otherwise face challenges accessing financial support.
