LAHORE: Iran has lifted restrictions on the import of Pakistani kinnow after nine years.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi tweeted, “I am pleased to share some good news for our citrus farmers. Following discussions, (I am) happy to announce that Iran has lifted restrictions on the import of Pakistan’s kinnow.”
Qureshi met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the presidential palace on Tuesday. He also met with Pakistani diplomats in Tehran to discuss ways of strengthening economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.
“After nine years, Iran’s market will be open for kinnow season of 2021-2022,” said All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters and Importers Association (PFVA) Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed. Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former chief of horticulture exports Ahmad Jawad said that it was great news for the kinnow export industry that finally Iran had lifted its longstanding ban, which had been placed in 2012.
“Economic diplomacy is a beneficial tool precisely for Pakistan’s horticulture sector and dividends are very high,” he added.
“Iran is one of the largest markets for kinnow; after this announcement, export of the fruit will increase substantially in the coming season and it is a good omen for farmers too.”
