Pakistan has huge potential to enhance the export of agricultural products, however suitable infrastructure, necessary support to farmers, growers and traders at par with our competitors was required to tap this potential, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Shaban Khalid said.
In his meeting with a delegation of Islamabad Fruit Merchants Association, the ICCI president said the private sector was trying its best to improve the standards of hygiene and packaging of agro products as per global standards. He urged the government to develop facilities to help realize full export potential of agricultural and horticultural products. He said the world horticulture market is valued at $80 billion, but Pakistan despite being an agricultural economy has only a marginal share in this huge market. He said government should take measures for establishing modern cool chains, international standard certification labs, grading and labeling facilities in the country.
Khalid said Afghanistan, Russia, Central Asian States, Middle East, Europe and many other regions offer enormous opportunities for promoting export of Pakistani fruit products and businessmen should focus on value addition, quality packaging and advanced marketing techniques for getting better penetration in export market. He urged Capital Development Authority (CDA) to resolve problems of fruits market and facilitate fruit exporters in improving exports for earning more precious foreign exchange for the country.
Speaking at the occasion, the delegation members highlighted various problems being faced by the local traders.
