PM for fully exploiting Pakistan mango export potential
ISLAMABAD, July 25 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said as Pakistan is the fifth largest producer of mangoes in the world, there was a need to exploiting mango export potential to its fullest in the $ one billion annual world-wide trade. “Though Pakistani mangoes are known for their quality and taste all over the world,  this potential has not been exploited to its fullest in the one billion dollar world-wide trade of mangoes”, Gilani said while addressing Pakistan Mango Extravaganza, organized by the Minister of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) here at a local hotel.
“The occasion is important as it reflects our government’s efforts to focus on the export sector of the country. My government is committed to encouraging the local exporters through provision of necessary facilities and incentives”, he added.
The Prime Minister said that the present government is taking measures to improve the infrastructure in keeping with the phyto-sanitary and quarantine requirements.
“Most of you may be surprised to know that Pakistan is the 5th largest producer of mangoes in the world,” Gilani said and added that according to Economic Survey of Pakistan, Punjab and Sindh were the largest producers and their share in production was 67% and 33%, respectively.
He said Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Mirpur Khas are the major production areas of Mango. Sindhri, Chaunsa, Fajri are important exportable varieties of Pakistan, which are exported to major markets such as UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK, he added.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan exported US $ 30 million worth of mangoes in the fiscal year 2009-2010 and it is expected that its export for fiscal year 2010-11 would be around US $ 30.5 million.
Gilani said  that long-term solution to the country’s economic problems lies in increasing its exports, adding, however, “This is possible if we encourage our indigenous agricultural sector through provision of cost-effective inputs, declaration of support prices, exploration of new markets and aggressive marketing of our exports.”
“This is where I see a central role of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. I am sure that the Ministry and TDAP are alive to these challenges and are fully prepared to undertake them,” he added.
The Prime Minister, however, said he was happy to note that the TDAP under the Government’s directives initiated productive marketing as well as compliance related initiatives in order to have access to two new markets: USA and Japan.
“The operationalization of the pilot Vapor Heat Treatment Plant at Karachi by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan with the assistance of the Japanese Government has resulted in the launching of Pakistani Mangoes in Tokyo on the 24th of July 2011.  This, I believe, is a big step forward and the TDAP’s efforts in this endeavor should be acknowledged by all,” he added.
Gilani said he was also happy to learn that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is working on the establishment of commercially viable Vapor Heat Treatment plants at Multan and Karachi.
“These initiatives need to be supported by all concerned and I urge the business community to come forward and work towards a public-private partnership on these projects”, he added.
Gilani also appreciated some of the other major initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan including the financial assistance offered to Mango exporters for establishment of their offices and warehouses abroad; freight subsidy on air shipments of Mangoes; financial assistance to exporters for obtaining different international certifications; sending delegations to different countries for exploring new markets and participation in international exhibitions.
“An exclusive hall for fruits and vegetable exporters will be set up by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in the forthcoming Expo Pakistan, which is being held in Karachi on from October 20 to 23, 2011,” he added.
The Prime Minister expressed his firm belief that such initiatives will go a long way in getting Pakistan its rightful place in the mango trade of the world.
He congratulated the Federal Minister for Commerce and his team on their efforts and on successfully organizing the event, adding, “I look forward to many such events in the future as well.”
Besides the Chairman TDAP Tariq Puri, the Mango Extravaganza was attended among others by a number of Islamabad-based diplomats, businessmen and traders.
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited various stalls of the exposition where different varieties of mango were displayed. Gilani also cut a cake to mark the occasion.