KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mian Muhammad Idrees has said that export of fruit and vegetable is a special segment of trade and hence needs special policies.
During his visit to All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), he assured that he would leave no stone unturned in harnessing immense potential of the horticulture sector which includes installation of Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) plant and Hot Water Treatment plant as common facility and communication of other suggestions to Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif.
He suggested that to facilitate foreign importers for an instant direct access to Assocation, the PFVA`s website shall be linked with the website of the FPCCI.
Mian Idrees was briefed about the role of Association in enhancement of export of fruit and vegetable and extensive efforts the Association has been making for the progress of horticulture sector since it’s inception.
Waheed Ahmed, Pattern-in-Chief while giving a comprehensive presentation disclosed that the current export revenue of $625 million of this sector can easily be enhanced to $1 billion within 3 years, $3 billion in 5 years and $5 billion in 7 years.
He added that Research & Development (R&D) is essentially required otherwise possibility of Pakistan becoming an importing country of agri-produce, fruit and vegetable cannot be ruled out.
The commercial VHT plant required for export of mango to Japan could not yet be installed after a long period of 18 months, expressing fear that it would endanger export of mango to high value market Japan this year thus depriving Pakistan of much needed valuable foreign exchange. Similarly no progress has yet been made in installation of hot water treatment plant as a common facility at Karachi, Multan and other cities.
