Total sales from USAID supported SMEs in fresh mango sector are expected to increase by an additional $3 million by December 2014. PHOTO: PRESS RELEASE
ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) sent another round of shipments of Sindhri mangoes, worth $0.25 million, to the Netherlands, United Kingdom (UK) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A total of 13 consignments, carrying 106 tons of Sindhri mangoes were shipped to the buyers that include Univeg, Special Fruit, and Fair Fruit in the European Union (EU) and KSA.
These are in addition to the USAID assisted shipments, worth $0.12 million, which were sent to the EU earlier in the month of June. These shipments are a direct result of USAID’s support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in establishing on-farm processing facilities, provision of technical trainings and helping them achieve international certifications, such as Global G.A.P and HACCP, which are a prerequisite for exporting to the global market.
“We are expecting our partner Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) farms (in Pakistan) to generate $6.8 million in revenues from these shipments this summer,” said a project representative.
USAID’s strategic interventions in supporting Pakistan’s mango sector have increased the overall sales and export revenue by $20.5 million since its inception in 2009. The USAID supported SME mango farms exported $5.8 million worth of mangos in 2012 that represents a 107% increase from the previous year and 488% increase from the baseline year of 2009. These interventions have also provided employment to more than 2,500 people.
Total sales from USAID supported SMEs in fresh mango sector are expected to increase by an additional $3 million by December 2014.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2013.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Great initiative by US gov't USAID department. These are things that get noticed by the people at the grass root level. It helps in projecting the positive image of US in the places where it is needed the most.