In Islamabad, Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, convened with the Council for Agriculture and Food Processing to deliberate on augmenting Pakistan's export prowess in this domain.
The dialogue with the Council for Agriculture and Food Processing highlighted Pakistan's capacity to escalate exports of primary agricultural commodities including onions, bananas, dates, citrus fruits, and mangoes. The minister underscored the potential to amplify export volumes of these commodities by two-fold in the forthcoming two to three years through strategic focus and enhanced facilitation.
A notable increase in onion exports, reaching $225 million this year, was cited as a testament to the nation's export capabilities. Nevertheless, the council members voiced concerns regarding the adverse effects of taxation on the sector's competitive edge, cautioning against potential setbacks in contending with regional markets. They advocated for earning substantial foreign exchange by adding value and processing these commodities instead of exporting them as raw materials.
Further, the minister accentuated the importance of prioritizing commodities such as onions, mangoes, dates, and bananas, which Pakistan has a competitive advantage in and are available throughout the year. He urged the council to contribute towards formulating a robust proposal for the National Export Development Board (NEDB), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The minister also encouraged the council to propose projects that would bolster the sector, with possible funding from the Export Development Fund (EDF). In response to the challenges presented by climate change, it was proposed that the Ministry of Climate Change should develop strategies to assist farmers in crop selection appropriate to the seasons, to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Source: The Nation