Secretary General (Federal) of Businessmen Panel (BMP) and former chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports, Ahmad Jawad, urged the kinnow exporters to boost kinnow export to Malaysia.
According to him, the fruit could be marketed in Malaysia profitably because of the following reasons: Recognition of Pakistani kinnow in the market for its best quality, availability of sufficient cargo space for Malaysia, demand of the product in the local market, high purchasing power of the consumers and value-addition through better marketing techniques.
He said the Chinese constitute almost 40 percent of the total population of Malaysia, the second largest community after the Malays (Muslims). He suggested the exporters should make this fruit popular among the Chinese population in Malaysia to boost export. He said Chinese New Year is scheduled for February 5. Traditionally, Chinese gift Kinnow to each other during the New Year season as a holy fruit, he said.
The BMP official further said that at present citrus export to Malaysia falls under preferential trade agreement (PTA) and in the light of Prime Minister Imran Khan's Malaysia visit, the prospects of trade ties could be relatively better.
"Similarly, during the coming season, which began from December 1, Pakistan likely to set an export target of 270,000 tons whereas this year's total anticipated production is around 2.2 million tons," he said.
Ahmed Jawad said Iran is also a big market of Pakistani kinnow like Russia; but, due to non-issuance of an import permit by Iranian government, the export of kinnow to this market remains suspended for the last couple of years which needs to be taken up with the Iranian Commerce ministry because after the two consecutive visits of Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif, he personally feels Iran wants to start proper trade with Pakistan.
On the question of China exports, he said that the sector's exports to China have the potential to reach $1billion.
The FPCCI's ex-official expressed optimism over bright chance for enhancement of horticulture trade between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) especially kinnow due to special space given by Chinese.
"Pakistan can export fruits, vegetables and value added products worth $1billion to China in the next five years," he said, adding that using BRI roads and ports infrastructure that would help widen Pakistan's access to new markets, the sector has potential of hike in estimated exports to $2.5 billion from current $608 million, within five years.
Ahmed Jawad emphasised that to ensure speedy clearance of trade cargo at Pakistani sea ports, assistance from the Chinese authorities has been sought so that the perishable cargo can effectively be transferred with minimal delay from sea ports to the vessels and go-downs, including quarantine facilities in special economic zones.