KARACHI (March 11 2004): Iran is likely to allow import of Pakistani kinno following a report on the quality and hygiene standards being maintained at the fruits processing plants and the quarantine department.

An Iranian quarantine official is presently visiting Pakistan at the invitation of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) to inspect the processing plants in Sargodha and the health quarantine department at the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport here.

Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Processors and Exporters Association Chairman Mateen Siddiqui is accompanying the Iranian official during his visits to the health quarantine department and the processing plants.

He said on Wednesday that Iran would allow import of quality Kinno, which was now popular in the Middle East, Europe and Far East, expressing the hope that once the Kinno's export was allowed, it would lead to the export of mangoes and vegetables to the neighbouring country.

Mateen said that Iran would prove to be a good market for Pakistani fruits, which would be available to the Iranian consumers cheaper due to the minimal transportation cost through the land route.

The Iranian government's move to open its markets to Pakistani fruits and vegetables is the result of recent high level exchanges between the two countries, which highlighted the increased trade between them.

The Iranian official told Pakistani exporters the Iranian importers were keen to import fruits from Pakistan and the Iranian government had already received several requests for the issuance of import permits.

Courtesy Daily Business Recorder