MUZAFFAR QURESHI

KARACHI (February 24 2004): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has withdrawn restriction on the import of potato from Pakistan only in reefer containers during the winter season.

However, it made clear that the import of vegetables in open top containers would not be allowed in summer.

According to an information, received by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) from the Commercial Section of Pakistan's Consulate in the UAE, the UAE government has assured that they will not enforce the restriction on the import of potato from Pakistan in reefer containers till such time as the summer sets in.

The UAE importers indicated that they would import potato in large quantities from Pakistan before the advent of the summer.

The UAE importers would, therefore, be able to import the commodity from Pakistan in open top containers, said the message.

The vegetable exporters, it said, had welcomed the UAE decision, and said that it would help in maximum export of potato, which was presently surplus in the country.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a drive to export 0.2 million tonnes of potato and offered 25 percent freight subsidy on the export, in a bid to encourage export of the surplus commodity.

Courtesy Business Recorder