KARACHI: Sindh Food Authority’s (SFA) Director General Agha Fakhar Hussain has said that licences will be issued immediately to all the members recommended by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). Seminars will be organised in collaboration with KATI for awareness.
He expressed these views during a visit to the KATI offices. He said that laboratories will be set up at the district level so that the industrialists do not face any problems.
Agha Fakhr Hussain said that they are aware of the problems and working to make laws better. He said that high-performing institutions will be appreciated and awarded.
He said that they will fully cooperate with KATI. Steps are being taken to implement international standards in the industry. Officers harassing industrialists have been replaced by women officers.
KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman said that the food industry is a very important sector. Public health is also related to this sector. However, fake products in the market which are against hygiene norms should be immediately controlled. He said that licences are pending in the industry for a long time.
President KATI said that the staff of the Food Authority harasses the industrialists while the industry is being harmed by unjustified fines. Faraz said that if facilities are provided to the members, the KATI will cooperate with the Sindh Food Authority in all possible ways.
Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya said that we are facing a serious economic crisis, but despite this, the food industry is developing rapidly in the country. Sindh Food Authority is the regulator in the province but it is imperative to educate the industry before implementing the rules.
Zubair Chhaya said that the literacy rate in the country is very low and people are not fully aware of the rules and regulations. He said that Sindh Food Authority should provide awareness to the members of the Korangi Industrial Area. Exporters are already complying with international standards but still, Sindh Food Authority officials harass such organizations which should be stopped immediately.
Umar Sun, Chairman of the Standing Committee, said that the laws of Sindh from other provinces and Federations are different, in such a situation, the difficulties of the industry increase further. He said that the pending license and equivalent laws should be implemented. A desk of Sindh Food Authority should be established in KATI while the elimination of illegal products from the market is also the responsibility of the Sindh Food Authority.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023