Citrus exports register 70 percent increase in one year

ISLAMABAD: The exports of Pakistani citrus have registered an increase of 70 percent in a year, Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim told National Assembly on Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question of Ms Nighat Parveen Mir, he said the exports of citrus have been increased up to US $ 162.6 million from July to March in the year 2011-12 as comparing to $US 95.8 million during the corresponding period last year.

The country has also exported 247909 metric ton mangoes to various countries from 2008 to 2010-11. In the year 2008-09, as many as 73437 metric ton mangoes were exported, while 84921 metric ton mangoes were exported in 2009-10, and 89551 MT mangoes were exported in 2010-11.

In a written reply to another question, he said the commodities worth 11508 US dollars were exported from Syria in the year 2011-12 (July-March) and imports were 1439 US dollars during the period.

The commodities worth 10646 US dollars were exported from Syria during 2010-2011 (July-March) and imports during the period were 3036 US dollars.

In a written reply to another question he said, European Union - the union of 27 European countries is the largest business partner of Pakistan. EU had already announced concession on 75 products for Pakistan subject to waiver. The matter is now with European Parliament for legislation before implementation. Pakistan is making diplomatic efforts for getting concessions on 75 products.

He said Pakistan will qualify for duty free access to EU from January 1, 2014 as the country has ratified all the 27 international conventions.

In reply to another question he said, Pakistan and India are in the process of normalizing bilateral trade relations under resumed composite dialogue. As a first step, negative list of 1209 tariff lines have been notified. With the phasing out of negative list by December 31, 2012, complete trade normalization with India will be in place subject to the removal of the non-tariff barriers by the Indian government.

In written reply to question he said, country's imports stands at $ US 34.82 million during 2008-09, $US 34.71 million in 2009-10, $ US 40.41 million in 2010-11, and $US 44.91 million in 2011-12.

The volume of trade between Pakistan and Africa were $US2.4 billion and $US 3.09 billion respectively.