KARACHI: The government was trying to boost domestic production of oilseeds, however, cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane were given priority, said Federal Minister of Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Husain.
While addressing the first Pakistan Edible Oil Conference on Sunday, jointly organised by Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association, All Pakistan Solvent Extraction Association and Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Association, he said that the country has become a major market for edible oil with the consumption of 3.7 million tonnes per annum, out of which 2.6m tonnes ($2 billion) were being imported.
On the occasion, Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Association Chairman Rasheed Jan urged the government to reduce taxes on imports of the commodity.
Pakistan was largely dependent on Indonesia for import of edible oil, which stands at around 83pc, he added.
Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016
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