PESHAWAR, Aug 25: The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), in collaboration with the Dera Ismail Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will hold the fourth Pakistan Date Show-2005 from August 28.

According to a press release, 60 exhibitors from all over the country, including date growers, processors, exporters, professional, marketing experts and packers, will participate in the three-day exhibition.

Dates are emerging as one of the important export items of the country. Pakistan has tremendous potential for development of agriculture in view of its climate, land and water.

It is the sixth largest producer of dates in the world, with a total annual production of 630,000 tons over an area of 78,000 hectares.

The total annual production of dates in the NWFP is 8100 tonnes and hot climate of Dera Ismail Khan is most suitable for the fruit.

In the NWFP, popular and important local varieties are Dhakki and Gulistan. Dhakki is one of the best varieties in the world in terms of size, colour and taste.

There are over 30 known varieties of dates grown in the country. Some of them are Shakri, Zahidi, Musawati, Basri, Begum Jhangi, Hillawi, Khadawi, Mekran, Sharman, Aseel, Fasli, Abe Bandan, besides Dhakki and Gulistan.

In order to promote exports, the government has adopted a policy of giving special attention to goods produce in less developed areas of the country.