KARACHI: The Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with International Association of Silk Route Trade (IASRT) of Kyrgyzstan to strengthen bilateral trade and explore new markets for horticulture sector in the region.

The MoC was signed after an international conference held recently in Islamabad. The conference was attended by businessmen of seven countries of South and Central Asia.

Head of IASRT and Chairman PFVA Abdul Malik said that the two associations would play an active role for exploring trade opportunities in region, particularly for the horticultural products which would ultimately benefit millions of people from farms to factories.

In a statement, spokesman and former chairman of PFVA Waheed Ahmed said that Pakistan could make an additional revenue of over $400 million through exporting fruits/vegetable and value-added pulp of mango and kinno juice.

He said the Central Asian states are a lucrative market for mango, kinno, potato, onion, value-added products of fruits, palm oil, meat, rice and all halal products. The route to this region can also lead Pakistani products to Russia and European markets.