ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has approved funds for implementation of Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) with the name of Pak-GAP. The Pak-GAP project will be implemented to make citrus growing areas of Pakistan pest free.
Source told Customs Today that the EDF (Export Development Fund) Board has also approved another project for establishment of common facility packinghouses in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
These packinghouses will ensure processing and packing of citrus consignment before export in accordance with the phytosanitary and quality parameters of the importing countries.
Regulation of citrus export in light of the WTO-SPS Agreement is one of the major focus areas of the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).
The department establishes a plant quarantine office at Bhalwal, district Sargodha every year during citrus export season (December-April) to facilitate the citrus growers, processors and exporters.
The DPP regulates the export of citrus by conducting mandatory pest surveillance Corchard registration, certification of packing and processing plants, quarantine inspection and cold treatment of fresh citrus fruit and issuance of Phyosanitary Certificates (PC) in accordance with the import requirements of the importing countries.
Moreover, the source said that a Citrus Export Board is being set up for the development of the citrus sector including the improvement of fruit quality and coordination of efforts for fighting the fruit diseases.
Ministry of Commerce has taken following initiatives like establishment of Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) to promote exports of fruits including kinos.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) undertaking various export promotional activities through trade exhibitions and delegations
Drawback of local taxes at the rate of 2-4% of FOB- realized value of enhanced exports has also been announced.
Through active trade diplomacy, government is trying to get better market access for the local businesses in international markets by concluding Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with different countries.
Prime Minister has been pleased to approve establishment of dry port at Sargodha to enhance the export of kinoos along with other products.
