KARACHI: The exporters have estimated that Pakistan can increase fruit and vegetable exports to Iran up to $80 million by establishing banking channels with Tehran.
All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) Chairman Waheed Ahmed, in a press release, said that there is immense potential for export of fresh food products to Iran and Pakistan should immediately send a delegation there.
Ahmed said there were many rival fresh food exporting countries that were trying to tap the Iranian market after the lifting of international sanctions. “We urge the government to take immediate measures.”
According to Ahmed, Pakistan could export a huge quantity of meat, rice, oranges, mangoes and guava pulp to Iran. At present, due to tough regulatory standards and economic slowdown in Europe, Pakistan’s fruit and vegetable exports have come under severe pressure.
Even in Iran, there will be issues of regulatory duties and quarantine rules that Pakistani exporters will have to face. “Pakistan can tap into this ripe market only if the government takes up and resolves these matters with the Iranian authorities at the earliest,” remarked Ahmed.
