By our correspondent

LAHORE: (February 27 2004) Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) sponsored delegation of kinno exporters, which visited Russia, has claimed to secure initial trial orders of kinno, to be shipped during February-March that may envisage more orders during current season.

According to the reliable sources, the purpose of this visit was to explore the Russian market for Pakistani kinno, as Russia imports citrus worth about US$250 million annually. The major suppliers of mandarin oranges are Spain, Morocco, Israel, Turkey, South Africa and Argentina to this market.

Looking at the vast potential of export to this newly opened country, the PHDEB was able to organise a delegation of five leading exporters to visit Russia on self-financed basis.

The delegation was introduced to the largest fresh fruit trading and importing companies of Russia on this occasion who offered trial orders to the members of this delegation.

A spokesperson of Board claimed that these orders would serve as prelude to substantial market access for Pakistani kinno exporters for 2004-05 season.

The delegation also visited the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry where it was warmly welcomed and assured of the fullest cooperation in facilitating and promoting trade between Russian and Pakistani business enterprises.

The delegates were informed of the huge potential for trade between Russia and Pakistan, covering a very broad range of goods and services, which had not been exploited so far to its fullest capacity.

In this regard, the Chamber’s office bearers advised businesses from Pakistan to establish a permanent-operating base in Russia by setting up a local office in Moscow, which would serve as a platform for promoting trade links between the two countries.

The delegate members are convinced that there is enormous potential for enhancing exports of our existing fruits and vegetables overseas. This could be achieved by exploring new markets after extensive marketing research and well-planned visits to potential countries.

(The News)