Pakistan to export mangoes to Japan

Yasir Ilyas

ISLAMABAD, November 22, 2010: For the first time ever Pakistan will start its export of mangoes to Japan from next year.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here on Monday between the Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture and members of delegation of Japanese Agriculture Cooperative Organization (JA).

An 8-member delegation of JA led by Yasuhiro Nakagawa, Vice Chairman JA Japan, held detailed discussion with Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal to find out ways and means to enhance bilateral trade. President of JA Group Kyoto Prefecture was also present on the occasion. 

Talking to the delegation Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that it is extremely encouraging that Pakistani mangoes will arrive into Japanese markets from next season. “We have ample business and investment opportunities for the Japanese investors in Pakistan,” he said.

The minister said Pakistan is the world’s fourth largest milk producer and technology to produce by- products from milk would prove extremely beneficial for the Japanese investors.

Referring to vast opportunities in the business sector he said Pakistan offers a business-conducive environment and ripe opportunities with simple procedures to enter into business deals.

Yasuhiro Nakagawa said that JA Group is involved in the farmers’ security through credit and insurance policies and marketing their products. He said that the group also deals in providing the latest farm machinery which makes it the biggest group of its kind in Japan. “We are ready to shift our technology and invest in Pakistan. I have already announced in Japan before my departure that Pakistani mangoes will come into Japanese markets from the next season”, he added.

The food minister said that Pakistan has the third largest number of animals in the world which provides an excellent opportunity for value addition to milk and processing ‘halal’ meat that has an enormous market the world over. “We are the fourth largest exporter of dates by exporting only 13% of the production (0.567 million tons). It can be greatly enhanced through the introduction of modern processing and packaging technology. Technology to process and make juices from citrus and mangoes is another potential area for investment,” he said.

Nakagawa assured that he would take concrete and practical steps to establish a long lasting business relationship with Pakistan. He said that the group has already established business models in dairy products in Australia and would replicate the same in Pakistan.

Among others who attended the meeting included secretary, additional secretary, representatives of Board of Investment and high officials of the ministry.