ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Mir Israrullah Zehri has directed to facilitate exporters, who are crucially important for the national economy. “Criteria to meet the international standards must be fulfilled in compliance with the international standards,” Zehri said after a briefing on Agriculture and Livestock Products Marketing and Grading Department (ALPMGD) here on Saturday.
“Stringent measures must be implemented to ensure export of produces that fulfill the international standards. Teams of experts must be readily available for inspection at exit points so that exporters are not face with any inconvenience. Complications must be avoided and one-window operation of different departments must in place so that consignments meant for exports are checked at a single point,” the minister said.
The minister was briefed that ALPMGD carries out compulsory grading of Agricultural and Livestock commodities before their export. Its mandate includes Marketing Intelligence and providing advice to the Federal Government in Marketing of Agricultural and Livestock commodities.
ALPMGD undertakes grading at the time of export and issues quality certificates.
It conducts field and laboratory research to lay down National Grade Standards, collects, compiles and disseminates the wholesale prices of 200 items from 40 important local markets. Zehri emphasised on facilitating exporters in simplifying the procedural mechanism so that exports are rightly promoted.
He added that the agricultural products possess a huge market potential which needs to be cashed by meeting the required criterion of those countries.
