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| South
Africa Delegation to Pakistan, PHDEB |
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South
Africa keen on trade with
Pakistan in Horticulture Products
By
Agha M. Ajmal,
Media
Consultant, PHDEB |
South African
delegate has shown willingness to establish strong business
relationship with Pakistan in the field of horticulture.
It was ensured by Mr. Stuart Symington,
the head of South African delegation comprising six
(6) members at a meeting with Mr. Afaq Tawana
Chairman, PHDEB and Mr. Shamoon Sadiq
CEO, PHDEB at Head office
of Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board
(PHDEB). According to a press release issued here by
PHDEB, the delegation was on one week business tour
to Pakistan to explore the possibilities of importing
and exporting fresh fruits, concentrates, juices, fruit
pulp and packaging materials. The delegate showed keen
interest in sourcing fresh fruits & vegetables form
Pakistan due to contra seasonality of harvesting periods.
The delegate comprises of
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Mr.
Stuart Symington, CEO Fresh Products Exporter’s
Forum.
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Mr. Nino Burelli, CEO M/s katope.
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Mr.
Valdy Jensen, CEO Orange Line (Pty) Ltd.
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Mr.
Christo Botha, CAPESPAN Dubai-UAE.
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Mr.
Imraan Moerat, Color Fruit (SA).
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Dr.
Faunus Swart, QMS Agri Science (Plant Pathologist).
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Member's
details |
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Various
meetings were arranged by PHDEB to look into the possibility
of exploring business opportunities available here in horticulture
sector for South Africans for promotion and development
of horticultural crops, business support for export of fresh
fruits & vegetables.
- The
delegation visited Department of Plant Protection to
discuss the quarantine rules pests management, other
PRA requirements and measures to eliminate fruit fly
for mango.
- The
delegate visited M/s Maersk Sealand Pakistan to discuss
the issue related to logistic arrangements including
number of sailings per week, availability of Reefer/CA
containers voyage for South African ports.
- The
delegate made a visit to Royal Questpack and witnessed
the process of washing, waxing, drying and packing of
kinnow and mango.
- The
delegate also met the leading exporters/importers of
fruits/vegetables of Karachi to discuss the availability
and seasonality of fresh fruits & vegetables in
Pakistan.
Mr.
Staurt Symington informed the exporters that South Africa
is exporting almost 60% of its citrus produce. He was
of the view that Pakistan will be helped out by creating
linkage, sharing of knowledge, technology, marketing and
value chain. On a query he disclosed that there is no
duty or other taxes on export of fruits/vegetable to South
Africa.
Dr. Faunus Swart,
QMS Agri Science (Plant Pathologist) visited the mango
farms of Multan to assess the issues relating to Die Back
disease. According to him such diseases are also witnessed
in South Africa on other fruits. He feels that with much
research they will be able to and cure the problem. PHDEB
suggested that this should be a long term understanding
between the R & D institution between South Africa
and Pakistan. Such activities required long term interventions.
The
delegate than move to Lahore and had a meeting with Mr.
Saifi Chaudhry, CEO of Shezan International Ltd. Mr. Saifi
gave an overview of the Shezan Group and told that they
have three fruit processing units each at Karachi, Lahore
and Hattar and start pulping in Karachi soon after the
harvesting in the Sind area. He added that the company
is also engaged in the export of their fruit juices to
many countries even to Japan.
The
delegate also visited M/s Roshan Packages and observed
the complete automatic plant for the manufacturing of
corrugated cartons for the export oriented industries.
The delegate showed interest in the import of cartons
from Pakistan and asked them to quote C&F rates for
South African Ports.
The
team also met the leading exporter of Lahore. The exporter
informed them that their main export destinations are
EU countries, Hong Kong, Singapore and Middle East for
fruits and vegetables and 25-30 MT/day fresh fruits &
vegetables are exported daily from Lahore. The member
of the delegate visited kinnow orchards and processing
plant at Bhalwal. They were impressed of the technologies
being imparted in the whole value chain of Kinnow. They
had an informal meeting with progressive farmers, kinnow
processors and exporters.
In
Islamabad, a meeting was held at MINFAL with Secretary
Agriculture. Mr. Ismail Qureshi, who gave an overall view
of agriculture sector and policy of the government with
special emphasis to these incentives being offered by
Government of Pakistan.
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| Some
of the Clips of South African Delegation Meeting at PHDEB,
Lahore Head Office |
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