The government has directed authorities to prepare a five-year roadmap to increase Pakistan’s kinnow exports, addressing long-standing bottlenecks in transportation, customs clearance and access to international markets.
The directive was issued at a meeting of a subcommittee formed on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and headed by Minister of State for Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath. Representatives of 41 organizations and institutions attended the meeting.
The committee reviewed progress on the prime minister’s directive to provide a 60 percent tariff concession at Port Qasim and discussed measures to resolve exporters’ concerns and expand Pakistan’s share in global citrus markets.
Dr. Bharath called for stronger coordination among federal ministries, government agencies and the private sector to facilitate exporters and improve access to international markets.
Govt considers faster transport and customs clearance
The meeting proposed arranging daily convoys to transport fruit across the Iran border. It also discussed establishing a “green channel” for the immediate customs clearance of perishable agricultural products.
The state minister directed relevant authorities to extend exporters’ financial instruments before November 15. The State Bank of Pakistan informed the meeting that the maximum prescribed period for repatriation of export proceeds was 120 days.
The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company was directed to prepare a five-year roadmap within 15 days to increase exports and promote value addition of kinnow and other citrus fruits.
Refrigerated freight train proposed
The committee also proposed operating a weekly refrigerated freight train from Sargodha to Karachi and Quetta. The Ministry of Railways was asked to prepare a feasibility report for the service.
Relevant departments were further directed to urgently address issues involving import duties on Pakistani produce in the Philippines and valuation-related matters in Russia.
Dr. Bharath stressed that exporters should receive maximum possible facilities, adding that stronger coordination between public institutions and the private sector was essential to expanding agricultural exports.
Last year, the government announced measures to improve the international recognition and export potential of Pakistani kinnow. These included promoting seedless varieties and value-added citrus products such as juices, concentrates and essential oils, building the capacity of growers and exporters, and registering new exporters for markets including Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.
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