Karachi, December 10, 2018 (PPI-OT): A consultative session was convened by Ministry of Commerce in Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Karachi wherein the Advisor to the Prime Minister for Commerce Mr. Abdul Razzak Dawood and Federal Secretary Commerce Mr. Mohammad Younus Dagha met with the concerned stakeholders from the business community.
The meeting was convened to seek input of food manufacturers, importers and exporters on improving the shelf life of imported food products as well as the labelling and Halal certification requirements for these products. The recommendations sought would then be considered by the Commerce Division for proposed amendments in the Import Policy.
Advisor on the occasion expressed his concerns with business community on the quality of imported food products and said that the government would only allow good quality, healthy, safe and Halal food to be imported in the country and those violating the requirements would be dealt with strictly. He also said that the government wants to facilitate the exporters to increase our export base and reduce our current account deficit as well as reliance on foreign financial assistance.
Business community shared with the Advisor their views regarding, increasing the shelf life of imported food products from the current 50% threshold for remaining shelf-life of the imported items, labelling of imported food products in Urdu, clear mentioning of “Halal” in Urdu on packaging of food products and Halal accreditation requirements for the imported food product.
Advisor assured the stakeholders that the Ministry will take in to account their valuable inputs before formulating the necessary regulations. The said regulations will be applicable on all the future imports of food products and will not affect orders that are currently in process. Secretary TDAP Mr. Rafeo Bashir, representatives of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) and senior officers of TDAP also attended the meeting.
For more information, contact:
Director
Information and Communication Division
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)
3rd Floor, Block A, Finance and Trade Centre,
P.O. Box No. 1293, Shahrah-e-Faisal,
Karachi 75200, Pakistan
UAN: +92-21-111-444-111
Tel: +92-21-99206487-90, +92-21-99201526
Fax: +92-21-99206461, +92-21-99201526
Email: tdap@tdap.gov.pk, farooque.memon@tdap.gov.pk
Website: www.tdap.gov.pk