The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was informed that during the current season, over 120,000 tons of mangoes would be exported compared to 84,000 tons last year.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer SM Muneer told the committee that due to efforts of the authority, mango exports were opened to Australia, Libya, Mauritius and South Korea after remaining banned for 13 years.
He said demand for Pakistani mangoes in these countries, especially in Japan, had increased sharply and exports also rose from 5 tons in 2014 to 81 tons in 2015.
The meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, was informed that export of perishable commodities like vegetables and fresh fruits would further increase to China and Central Asian states after completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Muneer said exhibitions held by Pakistan abroad were gaining more and more attraction.
Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said on the occasion such exhibitions were not only promoting Pakistani products but they were also helping to build a positive image of the country abroad.
The committee was informed that the Alishan Pakistan expo held in New Delhi in 2014 proved to be extremely successful as over 500,000 people visited the fair, reflecting the fact that the Indians like Pakistan and its products.
Moreover, the committee was informed that the TDAP was also marketing Pakistani dramas dubbed in Russian language in the Central Asian states.
Senator Karim Khawaja proposed that new markets in Africa and Latin America should be explored where a huge potential was available.
Khan revealed that the government was planning to ask a Dutch company, CBI, to train Pakistan companies in enhancing their exports.
Senator Saleem Mandviwala proposed that the TDAP should be made an independent body where professionals should be hired to further enhance exports of the country.
