ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) has finalized the modalities for import of 0.3 million metric tons (MMTs) on G2G basis and through international tendering process, official sources told Business Recorder.

Sharing the details, in order to bridge the gap of 3 MMTs in the production and consumption of wheat, the ministry moved a summary to the ECC of the Cabinet, which was discussed in its meeting, held on May 09, 2022 and thereby ratified by the federal cabinet on May 10, 2022.

The ECC allowed staggered import of 3 MMTs of wheat and directed the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Ministry of Commerce and Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to devise modalities for the import of wheat into the country and submit it to the next meeting of the ECC.

In this context ministry convened a consultative meeting with all stakeholders on May 14, 2022 under the chairmanship of the secretary NFS&R ministry which was attended by the managing director PASSCO (through online), secretary Food department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chairman TCP, additional secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joint secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Wheat Commissioner FSC-I, NFS&R.

After detailed deliberation during the meeting, the modalities were framed and were endorsed by all stakeholders which are as follows:

(i) Staggered import of 3.00 MMTs of wheat;

(ii) Import of wheat by adopting the option of G2G (2.00 MMTs) and through international tendering process (1.00 MMT);

(iii) Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will execute the entire quantity of wheat as allowed by the Cabinet on May 10, 2022;

(iv) Ministry of Foreign Affairs will clarify and endorse the queries made by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan;

(v) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and TCP would jointly explore the possibility of barter trade with the Government of Russia. The issue was raised by the Secretary, MoFA in the meeting held in the PM House on May 16, 2022;

(vi) Ministry of Maritime Affairs to be directed to provide “priority berthing” as per sequel of the previous year;

(vii) PASSCO will be recipient agency for the imported wheat;

(viii) On need basis provincial governments/territories to submit their demands to MNFS&R for arranging import, accordingly; and

(ix) Import of 3.00 MMTs of wheat by the TCP shall be exempted from duties/taxes.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022