ISLAMABAD: In a major development for Pakistan’s fruit export sector, the government has granted a one-time exemption from the requirement of a Financial Instrument for exports of kinnow (mandarin) and potatoes to CIS countries via the Iran land route, enabling the immediate start of the export season that had been delayed due to procedural bottlenecks.
An official notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday reveals that the exemption has been approved under Para 3 of the Export Policy Order 2022 for the current season, while the mechanism for repatriation of export proceeds will be notified separately. The directive has been circulated to the Federal Board of Revenue, State Bank of Pakistan, customs authorities and Pakistan’s trade missions in Moscow, Tehran, Tashkent, Almaty, and Dushanbe, indicating rapid implementation.
The development has been welcomed by the export community, with Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA), expressing deep gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Commerce and the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan for resolving the issue expeditiously.
He said the decision reflects the government’s strong commitment to facilitating exports and protecting the perishable fruit sector from unnecessary losses. “Our exporters will leave no stone unturned in availing this unique opportunity. With a bumper kinnow crop this year, Pakistan is well-positioned to generate valuable foreign exchange from CIS markets,” he stated.
Exporters believe the waiver will allow them to immediately dispatch consignments through the Iran corridor, the fastest and most cost-effective route to Central Asia, and expect a significant boost in kinnow exports in the coming weeks.
