SADIQABAD, July 12: Pakistan would soon be the number one exporter with the best fruit and improved marketing policies.

This was stated by Tariq Ikram, Minister of State for Trade and Commerce and Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), while talking to newsmen after the inauguration of the mango exhibition at Rahimyar Khan on Saturday.

He said while efforts were on to achieve an even more enviable position in the world market, “we are already ahead of India in mango exports.” He said that Pakistan has signed an agreement with big chain stores in the UK, UAE and other countries in this connection.

The minister said it was encouraging to see women agriculturists engaged in farming and marketing of fresh fruit, as he visited the stalls set up by them.

Syed Ahmed Mahmood, District Nazim Rahimyar, said on the occasion that the district produced the biggest variety and best quality mangoes in the country, while there were as many as 153 varieties on display at the mango show. The value of the produce in the current year was estimated at Rs1 billion, he added.—APP