APMPEA demands incentives to boost halal food exports

All Pakistan Meat Processors & Exporters Association (APMPEA) has urged the government to treat this industry on par with other export sectors by extending all incentives being given to others, especially textile sector. "Despite having an export of over $2 billion, we are not being acknowledged as an industry. We have the potential to become an industry of $10 billion in next few years provided we are given incentives like other sectors," said APMPEA Chairman Nasib Ahmad Saifi while talking to Business Recorder on Thursday.
He said all the raw material of this industry is present within the country and they do not need to ask for exemptions or reductions of duties. "We only need that the export refinance procedure be made simple and easy for us. Our industry is not in need of working capital. It just wants that the export refinance should be extended on easy terms against letter of credit opened by our importers against any consignment," Saifi demanded.
He regretted that Pakistan was not taking advantage of $3.6 trillion international halal market despite being a Muslim country and having all the capabilities to make its presence realized. He said they are not having even one percent of the total international market.
Saifi proposed that the government should urge its commercial counselors deputed abroad to work in collaboration with their organization to capture different traditional and non-traditional markets. "We are exporting to only three markets of the Middle East while India is exporting halal meat products to over 40 countries," he disclosed.
He claimed that recently beef exported to Russia and Turkey was appreciated very much due to its taste. "Beef of young animals was exported from Pakistan as compared to others competitors. We should target new markets such as Turkey, Central Asian countries, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Lebanon and Morocco," he proposed.
Concluding his remarks, Saifi proposed that the government should immediately allot at least 500 acres of land each to the actual owners of meat processing and export units for livestock farming in Cholistan area, so they can enhance their capacity and production of meat.