ISTANBUL: A nine-member trade delegation of date growers and exporters from Pakistan is visiting Turkey to explore the market for fresh Pakistani dates.
The delegation was sent by the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC), Ministry of Commerce, on the directions of Commerce Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera.
The decision was taken as part of the government’s market diversification strategy in the wake of imposition of 200pc duty by India on dried Pakistani dates.
The delegation is participating in the World Palm Dates Exhibition, being held in Istanbul from July 11-14, 2019. Exhibitors and delegates from 14 leading date-producing countries are taking part in the exhibition.
PHDEC, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul, has made special arrangements for the business-to-business meetings, both at the exhibition venue as well as at the premises of importers, wholesalers, retail chain outlets and fruits & vegetables market.
On the first day, the delegation held meetings with Turkish Frozen Foods Inc, Nak Dis Ticaret Ltd, Hurmaciniz.com, Hurma Ticaret A.Ş. and Almustashar Group.
“The Turkish importers have expressed keen interest in Pakistani dates,” said Bilal Pasha, Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul. “The visitors appreciated the quality of Pakistani dates and invited the Pakistani exporters to visit their units.”
