KARACHI: Pakistan has decided to send mangoes to the heads of states of existing as well potential buying countries besides sending to all friendly countries as well.
During a high-level meeting which included the Federal Minister of National Food Security Fakhar Imam and other high ranking officials, which was chaired by the President Arif Alvi, it was decided to use 'gift of mangoes' for the trade diplomacy.
A delegation of All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) led by it's patron-in-chief Waheed Ahmed, comprising chairman Abdul Malik and former chairman Aslam Pakhali has also participated in this important meeting.
This initiative clearly has a well-defined objective to further strengthen diplomatic relationships with all the friendly countries besides introducing 'the king of fruits' to the new international markets so that export of Pakistani fruits and vegetables can be further enhanced and the investment opportunities available in the Horticulture sector can also be highlighted.
Pakistani mangoes can be effectively promoted through commercial attaches and Pakistani embassies operating abroad.
During the meeting, Waheed Ahmed briefed the president as well the participants about production and quality issues related to export and supply chain and challenges confronted with enhancement of export of Pakistani mangoes.
The participants of meeting were also apprised of current state of export of this sector (Fruits & Vegetables) and reason behind Pakistan's meager share of less than 0.5 percent in the international trade. Waheed also shared the road map titled 'Horticulture Vision 2030' which was developed by the PFVA through extensive research & development.
The participants were further informed that the international trade of fruits & vegetables is around $200 billion. Pakistan exported fruits & vegetables worth $651 million in year 2018-19 which is just 0.33 percent of this total revenue.
Pakistan ranks sixth country in terms of mangoes production and 5th as mango exporting countries in the World having around 5 percent share. Pakistan mangoes' industry has a volume of Rs100 billion while millions of people are employed in the industry.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020