The fruit and vegetable exporters have suggested that scanning machines for inspection of perishable cargo should be installed at all airports and sea ports and cold storage facilities be set up at places like Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Faisalabad. The All Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Processors and Exporters Association in its proposals for Trade Policy 2005-06 said that cool chain and controlled atmosphere storage facilities should be set up in the production areas and at export exit points.
Irradiation, hot water and vapour heat treatment facilities should be developed in major fruit producing areas through public and private partnership. Quality assurance laboratories should be established close to the processing, treatment and export warehousing facilities.
It urged the Ministry of Commerce to expedite implementation of pre-shipment inspection scheme for freight subsidy announced in the last trade policy.
The association suggested that the Customs duty and Sales tax free import of machinery used in processing. grading, and ripening of fresh fruits and vegetable should be allowed. The equipment includes hot water treatment and vapour heat treatment plant, cold storage equipment and insulation machinery, packing material, quality testing equipment, fork lifters and clip-on generating sets.
Withholding tax should be either charged on FOB value or its rate be reduced from 0.75 percent to 0.5 percent and the system of regressive taxation should be introduced. Subsidised electricity tariff on processing and treatment plants and cold storage be provided.
The association suggested that market studies should be carried out to guide exporters on existing and new markets. The famous fruit varieties like Kinnow mandrin, and Sindhri mango be patented and branded for export to the international market. Strong media campaign should be launched and participation in international fairs be ensured to promote famous variety of fruits produced in the country.
The association emphasised the need for certification of fresh fruits and vegetable and suggested 50 percent cost sharing on national and international accreditation. It also called for designing grades and quality standards for exportable fresh produce and suggested 100 percent reimbursement of cost for fulfilling international hygiene standards for export of fruits and vegetable.
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