September 14, 2002	Saturday	Rajab 6, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Sept 13: The Ministry of Commerce has asked the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) to formulate new regulations in respect of kinnoos and mangoes export in consultation with the relevant stakeholders to boost the export of these two fruits.

In case the EPB was of the view that such regulations for kinnoos and mangoes was essential aiming to improve exports in terms of quality and standards, then the EPB should carry out consultations with the concerned exporters, a senior official of commerce ministry told Dawn on Friday.

The EPB was informed through a formal letter that following due consultation with stakeholders they should come up with a view to develop wide based consensus and support among exporters of these commodities on the proposal.

The consensus could cover the issues like packing material; other features like provision of holes in the cartons; printing of weight on the carton; code bar or other information available on internationally traded goods/fruits.

The ministry has also intimated the EPB that the restriction imposed in the case of kinnoos and mangoes were in the strictest legal sense untenable since the notification SRO1169 issued on August 8, 1973 already stand superseded by the Export Policy and Procedures Order (EPPO), 2000, said the official.

To provide legal cover, the official said that the EPB should come with proposals in this connection to make necessary amendments in the EPPO, 2000.

The decision was taken following the exporters of mangoes and kinnoos have asked the government to withdraw shortly the restriction imposed by the EPB and Central Board of Revenue (CBR) causing harm to the export of two major exportable fruits.

The EPB has announced rules for kinnoo export under which export of kinnoo will not be allowed before November 15 as well as in the wooden crates. It further said that export of kinnoos would only be allowed in cartons of net weight of 10-kg and 13-kg and the net weight must be printed on cartons.

Similarly, the CBR issued new customs rules for mango exports according to which the mango exporters would be required to submit a packing list having details of the consignment, including gross weight before customs examination. The shipments for Europe and Far East will be allowed only in cartons of 2, 3, 4 and 5 kgs with effect from June 1, 2002.