Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board (PHDEB) has arranged a one week visit of Iranian delegation, Dr Muhammad Raza Asghari to give practical shape to the protocol signed between Pakistan and Islamic Republic of Iran for boosting the export of mangoes and kinnows from Pakistan.
In this regard a meeting was held with CEO PHDEB, Shamoon Sadiq here the other day.
According to a spokesman, Dr Asghari is visiting mango and kinnow processing facilities along with PHDEB officials to assess their capacities and conformance to international quarantine requirements. PHDEB officials are assisting him in ascertaining the overall potential of exports to Iran.
In a meeting, Dr Raza Asghari explained that there was enormous potential of fruit exports to Iran and at present Iran was importing fruits from South Africa, Chile, Philippines, Brazil and many other countries.
Shamoon Sadiq asked Dr Asghari to persuade the logistics support companies having refrigerated fleets in Iran to come to Pakistan and introduce the concept of refrigerated transportation of perishables.
Dr Raza Asghari is a key person in the area of plant protection in Iran and was in agreement with Sadiq on close co-operation and liaison for boosting fruit trade and reaps the benefits of land routes.