Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) has achieved a number of milestones during the last one year for promotion of horticulture exports aimed to earn more foreign exchange for the country. Addressing the annual general meeting former chairman Waheed Ahmed informed that for the first time, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ministries and other institutions appreciated PFVA for its dedicated efforts in promoting exports and exploring new markets for the horticulture products.
During the annual general meeting of PFVA, members, acknowledging the restless efforts and dedication and historic services to the horticulture sector, appointed Waheed Ahmed as patron-in-chief of the association. The meeting also elected Abdul Malik as chairman of the association for the 2016-2017. While, Ansar Iqbal and Zulfiqar Ali were elected as senior vice chairman and vice chairman respectively during general body meeting at the association office in Karachi.
It was appreciated in the meeting that for the first time, with the efforts of the association Citrus Development Board made in Pakistan this year besides approving the Rs 140 million worth project of pack houses and common facility centers in Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Karachi.
Presenting the annual report, Waheed Ahmed informed that PFVA has not only met its export target of 0.1 million tones mango but also made a historic export of 0.3 million tones potato this year. Displaying 10 varieties of mango along with 25 value-added products at President House, for the first time, the association introduced the valued fruit to foreign ambassadors and delegates and now the successful event will now be held every year at the President House, he added.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while acknowledging the importance of horticulture sector to promote exports of agricultural products, also showed his willingness and keen inertest to facilitate the sector", he mentioned. The encouragement on the part of Prime Minister was historic as he given more time and opportunity to the exporters of horticulture products during a presentation at PM House, Waheed said.
The meeting was informed that apart from the pack houses common facility centers, the government has also allocated Rs 9 million to implement the international standard of Global Gape in Pakistan. Besides, final meeting has also been held to install hot water treatment plant as common facility center in Karachi through EDF fund. Former chairmen PFVA said that eight members of the association had participated in annual fruit logistic function in Germany in February 2016 and half of the exhibitor's participated first time in an international function.
Besides other important personalities, Pakistan ambassador also visited Pakistani mangoes stall and lauded the arrangements. Furthermore, special activities were carried out in different countries like Qatar, Belarus, Russia and others for promotion of Pakistani mangoes import and in this regard, Pakistani embassies played an important role, he added.
Waheed said that PFVA also ensure compliance of international standards and year, a Chinese team visited Hot Water Treatment Plants and Cold Treatment Facilities in Punjab and Sindh, giving approval to mangoes and oranges import to China. Meanwhile, a delegation of Korean Importers Association visited Karachi whereas it was given briefing about mangoes and other fruits by Pakistani authorities.
During the meeting Waheed Ahmed also thanked Ministries of Food Security and Research and Commerce and other institutions like TDAP, Plant Protection, Customs etc for their part in promoting and enhancing exports. Newly elected chairman Abdul Malik said that the association under leadership of Waheed Ahmed highlighted problems facing the horticulture trade and underline suggestions for their solution. The association also contacted authorities of different airlines, discussing with them complains about off-loading of shipment, he added.
