Industry status sought for meat sector

Businessmen believe Pakistan can capture big share in $3tr global halal food market

LAHORE:

The export performance of the meat sector matches that of other leading exporting industries, therefore, the government should grant it the status of industry, demanded Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar.

Talking to a delegation of meat exporters at the LCCI, he said that the meat sector was a valuable export performer that qualified for the industry status.

“Pakistan can capture a big share in the international halal meat/food market of over $3 trillion as it has the potential and all the required resources,” Anwar stressed, adding that the meat sector should be offered tax exemptions and proper shipment handling at airports. He asked the Civil Aviation Authority to resolve the issues faced by the halal goods exporters and called for starting a one-window facility at the goods scanning stage. The LCCI president said that the international halal meat/food trade stood at over $3 trillion but Pakistan had a meagre share despite having all the resources to become a big supplier of halal food. He urged the government to take critical measures to help tap the true potential of the meat sector.

“Promotion of halal products should be on our national agenda as it can lead to a quantum jump in exports. It is a matter of concern that no Muslim country features among top halal food exporters.”

Anwar urged the exporters to continue to explore available opportunities in the world market and focus on research that was a must while doing business in the global marketplace.