Minister orders five-year roadmap to boost kinnow, citrus exports

ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (ABC): Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Bharath has directed the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company to prepare a five-year roadmap within 15 days to promote value addition and increase exports of kinnow and other citrus fruits.
He issued the instructions while chairing a meeting of a subcommittee formed on the prime minister’s directives to boost kinnow exports.
The meeting, attended by 41 representatives of relevant institutions, reviewed measures to address exporters’ problems, improve transport and customs facilities, and expand access to international markets.
The committee reviewed implementation of a 60 per cent tariff concession at Port Qasim in line with the prime minister’s instructions. Participants agreed to strengthen coordination among federal ministries, government institutions and the private sector to promote agricultural exports.
Dr Bharath directed the relevant institutions to facilitate kinnow exporters and improve their access to global markets.
The meeting considered proposals to ensure the daily availability of convoys for fruit consignments at the Iranian border and introduce a green channel for swift customs clearance of perishable agricultural products.
Instructions were also issued to take steps before November 15 to extend exporters’ financial instruments. The meeting was informed that, under State Bank of Pakistan rules, the maximum period for repatriating export proceeds is 120 days.
Participants also considered a proposal to operate a weekly refrigerated freight train from Sargodha to Karachi and Quetta. The Ministry of Railways was directed to prepare a feasibility report for the proposed service.
The relevant institutions were instructed to take prompt action to resolve import duty issues in the Philippines and additional customs valuation issues in Russia.