Food secretary promises support to importers

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research would help wheat importers at all levels, declared Federal Food Security Secretary Omar Hamid.

Chairing a meeting on wheat import on Wednesday, Hamid assured the importers of positive steps by the government in response to their requests for facilitation and timely decision-making so the country could receive wheat consignments on time.

He emphasised that legitimate concerns of the importers should be addressed at the earliest. "The government is subsidising wheat import so that people can get the commodity at affordable prices," he said.

In view of the current supply issues during the harvesting season, the federal government has decided to import wheat to ensure uninterrupted supply. Importers have requested for facilitation in berthing, storage and clearance of shipments.

The meeting was attended by wheat importers, representatives of the food ministry, Federal Board of Revenue and Finance Division.

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research issued wheat import permits to private sector importers a few days ago in a bid to ensure adequate and timely import of the commodity aimed at a smooth demand and supply of the grain and flour across the country.

The import permits were issued in compliance with a decision of the Department of Plant Protection on wheat import in two phases, said Food Security Commissioner in the Ministry of National Food Security Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Gopang.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.

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