Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has lauded the decision of the government of Iran on lifting the ban on import of Pakistani kinnow. This decision has come after a span of more than five years.
FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports Regional Chairman Ahmad Jawad said that this year, fast progress will be made in trade between Pakistan and Iran.
“He said the relaxation in export of kinnows is given by Iran before the expected visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for attending the ECO summit in Islamabad, which would be a great message to strengthen the bilateral trade between two countries”.
Pakistani kinnow was in great demand in Iran and it was a good step to lift the restriction three weeks prior to the Iranian national festival of Nouroze, he noted. FPCCI official also urged the Pakistani exporters to take benefit of this great opportunity and should tap 60,000 tonnes of kinnow annually.
He also said that due to security reasons, the border closure had an adverse impact on the export of kinnow to Afghanistan but the exporters would hopefully make up for the loss by selling kinnows to Iran.
FPCCI’s Standing Committee Chief said that it is most likely that the central banks of Iran and Pakistan will soon sign an agreement to establish banking relations, increasing the bilateral trade threefold.
Jawad further suggested that the Agriculture Ministry of Iran and the Ministry of Commerce may grant special tariff concessions under the FTA on the export of fresh fruits and vegetables from KPK.
“As K-P has rich potential and produces delicious fruits in the mountainous region, most of the produce here is organic due to the favourable climatic conditions,” he concluded.
