During an inspiring few days in Northern Ireland, we were pleased to host Nouman Nadeem and Bakhtawar Riaz, members of Pakistan’s Industry Advisory Task Group (IATG) for the food and beverage sector, on a study tour to explore sustainable food innovation, workforce development and inclusive enterprise models.

Our programme began with a project briefing and action planning session in Belfast which set the tone for the visit, focused on capturing insights and deepening collaboration around our shared goals of strengthening Pakistan’s food and skills ecosystem.

Sustainability and storytelling on the Belfast Food Tour

We immersed ourselves in Northern Ireland’s food heritage and innovation through a guided food tour. From the ground-breaking gate-to-plate model at The Morning Star, where produce is grown, processed and served all on-site, to the inspiring social enterprise approach at Daisies Chocolates (sourcing directly from Madagascar to support ethical supply chains), the message was clear: sustainability, provenance and storytelling are central to competitive success in the food and drink sector.

Nouman and Bakhtawar engaged thoughtfully throughout, bringing comparative insights from Pakistan’s agri-food landscape and discussing how such integrated systems could inspire regional innovation back home. They were particularly struck by the pride, professionalism and ownership displayed by local producers, signs of a quality-focused, consumer-driven food culture.

From concept to market: A day at NWRC’s Foodovation Centre

We visited Derry for a full-day tour to the North West Regional College (NWRC) and its flagship Foodovation Centre. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the NWRC leadership team and Foodovation experts Stella Graham, who delivered a masterclass in industry-led innovation support.

We explored how Foodovation helps over 60 businesses each year transform ideas into market-ready products, providing one-to-one technical advice, HACCP training, nutritional analysis and scientific consultancy. With seven dedicated technical staff and plans underway for a £4 million expansion, the centre is a shining example of regional investment in SME competitiveness and workforce resilience.

A highlight of the day was the visit to Carol’s Stock Market, a local producer that has thrived thanks to Foodovation’s support. The site tour offered real-world proof of how collaboration between colleges and entrepreneurs fuels growth, quality assurance and confidence to scale.

And then came the lunch, a memorable meal prepared by NWRC’s hospitality and culinary arts team. Beautifully presented and bursting with flavour, it was a meal that would not have been out of place in any first-class restaurant. The experience showcased the clear link between culinary training, service excellence and employability.

Looking ahead: Opportunities for collaboration

Throughout the visit, both Nouman and Bakhtawar demonstrated exceptional engagement, curiosity and thought leadership. They brought valuable reflections on the current opportunities and challenges in Pakistan’s food sector and enthusiastically explored how elements of the Northern Ireland model could be adapted, particularly in the context of inclusive business development parks and workforce capacity building.

Discussions are now underway for Pakistan’s Industry Advisory Task Group (IATG) to develop a deeper partnership with NWRC, including potential faculty exchange, joint programme delivery and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The commitment to cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange remains strong.

This visit highlighted the power of place-based innovation, sector-led skills development, and the potential for globally informed, locally adapted solutions. With thanks to the teams at NWRC, and all the inspiring businesses we met, we left energised and optimistic about the future of inclusive food system development in both Northern Ireland and Pakistan.