ISLAMABAD, Jul 02 (APP):Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam here on Friday said the government was determined to explore high end markets for local agriculture produces in order to enhance exports of agriculture goods.
Addressing the closing ceremony of mango festival organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with Centaurus at Centaurus Mall, Imam said the farmers would be provided processing and packaging facilities to meet with the international standards to enhance mango exports.
It is worth mentioning here, about 40 exhibitors from across the country have put up their stalls in the mango festival to exhibit around 160 varieties of mangoes including 4-5 sugarless varieties.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Fakhar Imam appreciated the organizers for organizing the event and said that it would provide an platform to explore local and foreign markets for the exports of mango.
Pakistan has the best mangoes in the world, he said adding that there are over 1,500 varieties of mangoes that could be exported to fetch foreign exchange for the country.
Pakistan is producing about 1.7 million tonnes of mangoes every year and now local mango started entering in high end market that would help to enhance exports as well as increasing the income of local farmers.
Fakhar Imam further said that about 125,000 tonnes of mango exported in 2020, adding that despite COVID-19, local exports witnessed significant growth and 18,000 tonnes of more mangoes were exported during current season as compared to the last season.
Being an agricultural country, Pakistan has tremendous potential to further increase the production and exports of mangoes and emerge as one of its top exporters, he added.
He further informed exports orders for US, Australia and Japan were also received that would further increase the mangoes exports.
