RECORDER REPORT
LAHORE: An eight-member delegation of Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industries led by Chaudhary Muhammad Shoaib, representing Kinnow exporting companies, visiting Indonesia from 16-22 November 2013 to explore and re-establish Pakistani kinnow (Mandarin) in the market.
Indonesia has been a big market for Pakistan but exports of kinnow declined due to tough competition from China, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand and due to lack of packaging and processing facilities and various non-tariff barriers raised by the government to protect local mandarin, including ban from entry into Tanjung Priok port of Jakarta, seasonal quotas and bans, pre shipment inspections and certifications.
Ayesha Tassaduq, Press Attache Embassy of Pakistan, Jakarta told Business Recorder in an e-mail that Indonesia Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement has been operationalised w.e.f 1st September, 2013 in which customs tariff on 7kinnow and nine other fruits have been waived. Indonesia also signed Mutual Recognition Agreement with Pakistan on Sanitary and Phyto sanitary measures for agricultural products and granted pest free area recognition for Pakistan’s kinnow (orange) allowing entry through Tanjung Priok Port of Jakarta w.e.f 30th August 2013. These measures have opened up the Indonesia market for Pakistan’s kinnow again and the delegation would capitalize the opportunities provided by the Government of Pakistan.
The Mission arranged delegation’s meetings with Indonesian Fruit and Vegetable Importers and exporters Association (ASEIBSSINDO), Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KADIN INDONESIA), Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesian retail chains Carrefour, Hero Group, Ranch Market, visited cold storage facilities at Tanjung Priok port and B2B meetings with leading individual companies importing fresh fruits and vegetables and met with the Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Burhan Muhammad at Jakarta from 16-21st November 2013.
Chaudhary Muhammad Shoaib, leader of the delegation said the bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia are expanding rapidly as both the governments had been working seriously and sincerely for implementing PTA and suggested number of actions aimed to further strengthen bilateral trade including exchange of trade delegations, participation in exhibitions, exchange of information specially trade inquiries, joint meetings, joint lobbying with both governments for free trade agreement, agreement on investment, taxation, business visa recommendation, operation of direct flights etc.
The representatives of Indonesian Fruit and Vegetable Importers and Exporters Association led by Ms. Peny Fransiska and Ivan welcomed the delegation and explained their interest in importing fresh fruits from Pakistan specially kinnow and mango.
