TDAP keen to promote and brand local fruits from northern areas

Official says commerce ministry will set up cold storages for preservation

ISLAMABAD: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is committed towards promotion and branding of local fruits from Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Swat and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and value addition of local dates from south Punjab and Sindh for the facilitation of growers and traders, said a senior official of the commerce ministry on Wednesday.

The ministry would initiate the project of establishing cold storages in G-B and Swat for prolonged preservation and to enhance the shelf life of apricot, peaches and persimmon. “We have organised exhibitions involving diplomats and international organisations for the promotion of fruits in Swat and G-B.”

The official said that TDAP is working with international organisations including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Centre for the Promotion of Imports (CPI) in developing countries for branding and enhancing the value addition in agro-trade in these areas.

“We are going to hold seminars on apricot, peaches and persimmon to educate the local farmers and develop good agriculture practices in these areas,” he said.

He said that TDAP has involved SMEDA for the infrastructure development and for promotion and branding of these products.

Responding to a question, he said that the ministry is going to set up a research centre in collaboration with UNIDO for training and enhancing the capacity of staff.

The official said that the ministry has a plan to create international level institute for innovation and value addition of leather and gems and jewellery in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2017.

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