Across the border: ‘Agri sector to lead trade’

With an Indian market, there is a lot of potential for trade of fruits including kinnow and dates

ISLAMABAD: The agriculture sector will benefit a lot if trade of all goods is allowed with India, according to Harvest Tradings. With an Indian market of over 1.2 billion consumers, there is a lot of potential for trade of fruits including kinnow and dates, Tradings Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jawad said in a statement. Additionally, Pakistan can import wheat and rice which is cheaper than the local variety, Jawad added. He suggested that India and Pakistan could jointly market mango in the international market for eight to nine months a year because mango season in India starts in March and continues till June while the season in Pakistan begins in June and lasts till October. Fair trade will increase competition resulting in improved variety and product quality. The governments of both countries need to take active role in the execution of formal direct trade, he urged.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2012.