The government has instructed officials to draft a five-year plan aimed at expanding Pakistan's kinnow exports, targeting long-standing problems in transport, customs clearance and market access.
The order came during a sub-committee meeting convened under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's direction and led by Minister of State for Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, with representatives from 41 organisations and institutions present.
The panel examined progress on the prime minister's mandate to grant a 60 percent tariff concession at Port Qasim and discussed steps to address exporters' concerns and grow Pakistan's share in the global citrus market.
Dr. Bharath urged tighter coordination among federal ministries, government bodies and the private sector to aid exporters and improve entry to overseas markets.
Govt considers faster transport and customs clearance
Attendees suggested daily convoys to move fruit across the Iran border and the creation of a "green channel" for swift customs clearance of perishable agricultural goods.
The state minister instructed relevant agencies to extend exporters' financial instruments before 15 November. The State Bank of Pakistan told the meeting that export-proceeds repatriation must be completed within 120 days.
The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company was told to produce a five-year roadmap within 15 days to raise exports and promote value addition for kinnow and other citrus.
Refrigerated freight train proposed
The committee also suggested a weekly refrigerated freight train running from Sargodha to Karachi and Quetta, asking the Ministry of Railways to prepare a feasibility study.
Other departments were asked to urgently resolve issues concerning import duties on Pakistani produce in the Philippines and valuation matters in Russia.
Dr. Bharath emphasized that exporters should receive the fullest possible support, noting that stronger cooperation between public institutions and the private sector is vital for expanding agricultural exports.
Last year, the government announced steps to boost the international profile and export potential of Pakistani kinnow, including promotion of seedless varieties, value-added products such as juices, concentrates and essential oils, capacity building for growers and exporters, and registration of new exporters for markets like Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations.
