Port in Sargodha for Kinnow export

Govt could turn things around by prioritising horticulture sector, says FPCCI official

ISLAMABAD: The government should open a dry port in Sargodha to facilitate Kinnow exports, urged the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

“There is an urgent need to open a dry port in Sargodha that would facilitate the export of, according to an estimate, around 6,000 containers of Kinnows annually,” said FPCCI Standing Committee on Horticulture and Food Exports Chairman Ahmad Jawad, while talking to The Express Tribune.

“We feel the government must take care of Kinnow exports before it gets late, as without this dry port, Pakistan cannot achieve the target of enhancing Kinnow exports to $1 billion in light of the new trade policy,” he added.

He reiterated that the country’s export story could turn around if the government prioritises the horticulture sector, adding that Pakistan produced more than 2 million tons of kinnows per year, but the export share was negligible.

He said the Netherlands hosts an orange festival every year, which is an opportunity for Pakistan to participate in and explore the market.

“Similarly, Italy also hosts several events but unfortunately our trade missions have been unable to tap these potential markets through effective marketing,” he said.

“As per the statistics of 2014, Afghanistan is our largest buyer of Kinnows, followed by the Russian Federation, UAE and Ukraine; this could further be expanded to other connecting markets,” he said.

Jawad asked the Ministry of Commerce and TDAP to organise exhibitions in potential markets.

“There is a need for the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company to educate exporters on how to sell their products in the international market, and its packaging through extensive research and development.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2015.

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