Funded by the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports
On June 13th, 2022, seven Wisconsin wood companies met with nine pre-qualified softwood and hardwood buyers from Pakistan in Green Bay to build contacts and relationships for future business. The event was made possible through a partnership between the Softwood Export Council, New North Inc., and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and is funded by DATCP's Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports. The purpose of this trade mission was to bring foreign buyers to Wisconsin to see first-hand the quality, value, and functionality of Wisconsin products that can help them achieve their business goals. 
Through this activity and communication with the buyers, the Wisconsin companies are expecting to create new business contacts and increase Wisconsin's forestry product export to Pakistan. These buyers from Pakistan toured the Menominee Forestry Center and Menominee Tribal Enterprise's (MTE) facility in Neopit, Wisconsin. The group was interested in learning about the sustainability of the forestry business in Wisconsin and the U.S., manufacturing processes, products produced, and availability.
After the tours at MTE, the group traveled back to Green Bay for business roundtable discussions and a country briefing with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service representative of Pakistan Rashid Raja. Krista Knigge, administrator of DATCP's Division of Agricultural Development, gave a warm welcome and brief overview of the agricultural trade relationship between Pakistan and Wisconsin.
To anticipate differences between the Wisconsinites and the Pakistanis, DATCP and the New North also facilitated an online Pakistan Business and Culture 101 orientation on June 10, 2022. This orientation gave the Wisconsin companies an overview of the business landscape in Pakistan and how to do business with Pakistani businesses from Wisconsin. The Pakistani buyers look forward to continuing this relationship with Wisconsin businesses.
