KARACHI, Aug 21: The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has evolved a road map for boosting export of fresh dates on sustained basis and suggested various measures to ensure supply side and proper processing.

The chairman of EPB Tariq Ikram in a meeting held on Tuesday with growers and exporters of dates at bureau’s head office discussed various issues relating to supply side i.e. production, domestic trade and those related to export to different markets.

Based on the detailed discussions with the stakeholders i.e. growers, exporters, a road map for boosting export of dates was chalked out.

According to the road map it was stressed that processing quality should be improved by introducing modern drying and processing plants developed by PCSIR, in dates producing areas. Furthermore dates processors and exporters will be assisted to get ISO and HACCP certification.

It was also agreed that diversification in exports will have to be achieved through promotional efforts in high price fetching European markets and concentration of immediate promotional efforts in Asian and African countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Russia, CIS and South Africa.

Sampling of dates will be carried out to four to five major buyers and importers in France, UK, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Canada. Awareness campaign in major markets will be launched to present Pakistan as a major and quality dates producing country.