09 January 2005	Sunday	27 Ziqa'ad 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The government has allowed a UK-based Pakistani business group to start first-ever international cargo service between Islamabad and Manchester to export perishable fruits and vegetables from Pakistan.

Official sources told Dawn that a 7-member UK delegation headed by Mr Tassejed Jeffery held a detailed meeting with Minister of State for Privatization and Investment Mr Omar Ghumman here on Saturday and finalized arrangements for operating an international cargo service between Islamabad and Manchester.

As a result of the successful negotiations the "Private Global Airline" was given a licence to start its first cargo flight from July 6, 2005. The airline has purchased its own planes which would also be used for starting a passenger service between the two countries.

The group, also carrying native Britons in its fold, would be running the whole show by buying perishable fruits and vegetables directly from the growers and would exporting them through its own planes.

"A to Z perishable items specially mangoes and tomatoes will be exported by the Global airline," a source said adding that the new airline will develop its own storage facilities including Gowdowns, silos and a warehouse near Islamabad international airport.

The airline has hired all the required staff in the marketing, financing and management fields. A pre-feasibility study was conducted about the operation of the new airline, which was approved by the government officials concerned.

The sources said that currently there was roughly 60 per cent wastage of perishable items due to non-availability of proper storage and marketing facilities. And now this huge wastage was expected to be minimized to the maximum extent.

The airline plans to have its own marketing and packing department with a view to drastically improving the export of perishable items from Pakistan.

The airline would establish contact with the owners of mango gardens in Punjab and Sindh from where they would directly be lifting mangoes for onward export to the United Kingdom.

Later on, the airline would also be catering to the fruits and vegetables requirements of other European countries.

The sources said that the UK-based group has also desired to construct a 5-Star hotel in Islamabad. The existing two major hotels in the capital, the group maintained, were not considered real 5-star hotels as they, what it said, lack certain international standards.

However, the sources said, the 7-member delegation called upon the government to improve security situation in the country to attract adequate foreign investment and a good number of tourists. The group has also expressed its readiness to develop a skiing resort of the international standard for foreigners in Pakistan.