Looking to make a way for Pakistani kinnows

FPCCI’s standing committee meets Dutch official to discuss prospect of exports to the EU

KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee on Horticulture and Agriculture Produce Chairman Ahmad Jawad has said that Pakistan wants to use Netherlands – a gateway to European Union (EU) – to market kinnow (orange) and other fruits in the EU. 

He said this while speaking to Rick Slettenhaar, head of Economic Affairs, at the embassy of the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Jawad said Netherlands has an exceptionally large share of the world trade in horticultural products and Pakistan seeks to get maximum benefit out of it by marketing its own fruit that are famous due to its taste and quality.

He mentioned that Pakistan is the 13th largest producer of kinnow with more than 2 million tons annually; similarly it produces 1.8 million tons of mangoes and the sixth largest producer of dates with more than 250 varieties.

“Pakistan has the potential to deliver and it could earn billions of dollars in exports of fruits, vegetables and meat to EU countries via Netherlands,” he said.

Slettenhaar appreciated the efforts of the FPCCI.

“We will give maximum support to increase bilateral trade between the two countries particularly in fresh fruits. Indeed, Pakistan’s produce has a unique taste,” he stated.

Jawad suggested that the economic section of the Dutch embassy can create close liaison with their buyers to promote business-to-business interaction in which the FPCCI will extend full support.

“We are also looking forward to be part of the orange festival in the Netherlands through Pakistani kinnow to promote our positive image,” Jawad added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th,  2015.

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