According to a statement,Pakistan needs to increase trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries,especially in the agriculture sector as this region would give USD 1 billion per annum to the national exchequer.
Mr Ahmad Jawad CEO of Harvest Tradings said that Pakistani rice,fresh fruits and floriculture sectors will be eye catching products for the Asean countries.
Mr Jawad said that"We are the fifth largest producer of mangoes,fourth largest producer of dates and rice and 13th largest producer of citrus."
He said that Asean and Pakistan must establish working group on agriculture aims at facilitating the promotion of joint research for development of technologies for increasing production and productivity in the agricultural and allied systems,efficient management of natural resources,development of joint ventures and exchange of technologies.
ASEAN consists of Indonesia,Malaysia,Philippines,Singapore,Thailand,Brunei Darussalam,Vietnam,Lao PDR,Myanmar and Cambodia.
He added that currently Pakistan has started the process with Malaysia and Indonesia under the free trade agreement in this region but still a lot of room is available.If you take example of kinoo,50%of Mandarin Orange are being exported to the UAE and Saudi Arabia,which are commissioned markets and not a big attraction by any standards for exporters of fresh produce.
He further added that the government must give directive to Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company and the ministry of commerce to chalk out a detailed plan and hold the exhibition one by one in each Asean country.
