ISLAMABAD
In a major decision, the government has decided to revive the defunct Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) that will help boost exports of horticulture products, provided a strict check was kept on the performance of the company, an official source said.
Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik chaired the PHDEC Board meeting here on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Bosan. Commerce Secretary Younus Dagha also attended the meeting.
The meeting decided to shift the PHDEC head office to Islamabad. The company will be revived and reinvigorated to increase the export of kinnow, citrus fruits and other fruits.
The commerce secretary is said to be the main force behind the revival of PHDEC as he is of the firm opinion that the defunct company could play a significant role in the export of fruits.
New varieties will be developed, for which there is existent demand. The board decided to set up a task force under the secretary to finalise recommendations for the company.
Briefing the board, Dagha said that specialised companies were required to boost the export of products like rice and mango. He told the meeting that PHDEC would be revived and best of the best people would be hired. The most professional people would be hired on market-based salaries.
On the recommendations of the commerce minister, it was decided that regular meetings would be held with main exporters after every fortnight. Their recommendations would be looked into and implemented. It was also decided coordination with provincial governments would be made where necessary.
It was decided to convene a meeting of the main agriculture and horticulture exporters to work out recommendations for PHDEC revival and drawing a road map for increasing fruit exports.
The board decided to make a work plan for next five to eight months. It also finalised three names for the CEO spot and decided to send a summary to the prime minister for final approval.
Dagha said that PHDEC will work on improvement of quality by ensuring strict regulatory mechanism, pre-shipment inspection so that Pakistan’s exports are reliable.
A task force will be constituted for increasing exports of mango, kinnow and other fruits and also to make recommendations for the revival of PHDEC. It will give recommendations in a month and a progress review meeting will be held after 15 days.
