Food, other sectors: Industries should hire experts from accredited institutions: SFA DG

KARACHI: Director General Sindh Food Authority (SFA), Imran Bhatti advised the industries to hire experts in food and other sectors from accredited institutions to help them maintain global standards.

While speaking at a meeting with Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) members, he urged everyone to study the rules and regulations of Sindh Food Authority to implement them properly.

He said that efforts are being made to issue licenses within 7 days.

Informative campaigns and seminars will be organised for awareness. Work on the mobile food testing lab is progressing rapidly and it is expected to be operational soon. He said that they are simplifying the process of licensing in the province and making it online.

If a member has any problem, issue, or complaint in this regard, he can contact him directly, he added.

Bhatti said that applications for licenses before 2018 will be given priority.

He further informed that thousands of applications for licenses are currently pending.

KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman said that there are enormous problems in obtaining licenses in the food sector, and license issuance should be done on a priority basis.

Companies are harassed in the name of raids and checks which should be noticed immediately.

Rehman said that there are separate laws in the province and the federation, which are increasing the difficulties for the companies.

Faraz-ur-Rehman further said that the SFA should prepare equal laws with the cooperation of the federal government which can be followed. President KATI further said that the Sindh Food Authority should provide facilities to the license holders. Strict action should be taken against those who manufacture substandard and fake items while redressal of legitimate complaints should be done on a priority basis.

Zubair Chhaya, CEO of KITE Limited, said that Karachi has no infrastructure and no water, making it a big challenge to run industries.

Many authorities impose fines without giving any prior notice and proper reasons.

Chhaya suggested that the money earned through the fine should be spent on an advertising campaign in which those involved in the sector get information about the global standards and the authority’s standards.

Zubair Chhaya said that the Sindh Food Authority should first conduct an operation against the manufacturers of fake products where illegal and substandard products are being manufactured.

It is the responsibility of the Sindh Food Authority to improve the quality of the products that the people are using, and in this regard, awareness should be provided to the people, he added.

Senior Vice President Nighat Awan said that the staff of Sindh Food Authority should not harass and spread panic but make the rules and regulations public so that the industry can follow them easily. Awan said that the series of meetings and consultations should be done regularly.

Vice President Muslim Mohammadi said that officers come after office hours for checking and issue fines or challans in a hurry, which is spreading a negative impression. Mohammadi said that considering the current economic conditions, the amount of fine should be reduced.

Chairman of the Standing Committee Umar Sun said that awareness campaigns, seminars and workshops should be organized to implement the rules and regulations to ensure the production of goods according to international standards.

Umer said that a one-window operation should be organized for the convenience of those setting up new industries and a help desk should be established by appointing a focal person in KATI.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022