KARACHI: The Ministry of Commerce is targeting high-priced Japanese market for export of mangoes from next season for which efforts are being made to activate a vapour heat treatment (VHT) plant imported a few years ago.

In a meeting of board of directors of the Export Development Fund (EDF) held on Friday, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir directed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to bring a viable proposal to make the VHT plant operational before the next season starts.

The commerce minister, who chaired the meeting, directed that after the release of funds for the projects approved, the TDAP will have to submit quarterly report to the board on the progress.

He also urged transparency in the working of EDF, for which an effective mechanism should be devised to ensure the funds spent and collected under the Export Development Cess for the promotion of exports.

It was informed that 237 consignments from Pakistan were rejected last year by the European Union due to fruit-fly infestation, but this year only two consignments were found infested.

Pakistan exported 82,000 tonnes of mangoes last year. However, exports rose to 90,500 tonnes this year despite EU’s strict watch on the quality. Moreover, the mangoes were sold at a higher price this time around.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2014