Exports: First seafood shipment to EU cleared

KARACHI: President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Zubair Ahmed Malik, has expressed his pleasure on the clearance of the first export consignment of Pakistani seafood to the European Union (EU) after a lapse of six years, calling it a positive sign for export of shrimp and fish products from Pakistan. The EU had re-allowed fisheries exports from Pakistan in February 2013, and two fisheries companies had received clearance from the 27-member bloc for their consignments. At the time of the suspension of fisheries exports in 2007, Pakistan was exporting $50 million worth of seafood products to the EU, which constituted 26% of our global seafood trade. With the imposition of the ban, Pakistan’s seafood exports had suffered considerably. Exports of seafood stood at $317 million in 2012-13. Businessmen said they expected that the removal of the ban would have a significant impact on Pakistan’s exports of seafood to the EU, and other premium markets.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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