June 25, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1429

KARACHI, June 24: All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association Chairman Abdul Wahid said on Tuesday that mango and potato exporters have suffered a loss of Rs100-130 million due to insufficient shipping services.

He said in a statement a ship operated by Karachi Agents Sea Consortium loaded about 37 containers of mango and potato for Dubai on June 7. The ship was reportedly having problems but the fault was not reported to the exporters.

The ship sailed off on June 13 but it developed fault on its voyage, ultimately toed to the Dubai Port where it called on June 23.

He said mangoes and potatoes were packed in the refrigerated containers, but being perishable cargo, it was damaged hundred per cent by reaching there. He said he does not know whether the refrigeration system was working or not.

He urged the minister for ports and shipping to intervene and resolve the problems of the small exporters.