By
Syed Sajid Aziz
(Pakistan
News & Features Services)
While
the axe is falling on Pakistan’s fruits’ exports to European Union (EU) due to
fruit fly’s threat, the much talked about Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) Plant has
been cleared by the customs department and dumped at the backyard warehouse of
Expo Center by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
Though the VHT Plant was imported in very dubious circumstances by the previous
management of the TDAP, headed by Tariq Puri, about two years back, it however,
became ultimate need of the hour as Pakistan’s fruits and vegetables exports remained
under threat due to various reasons particularly fruit fly.
While
stakeholders have earnestly demanded TDAP’s present leadership to install it
immediately at some independent location so that country’s exporters could be
able to utilize it and get away from possible threat of ban on their exports as
EU has already slapped a ban on Indian mango due to the same reason.
According
to the sources among stakeholders the country has to pay a massive amount on
VHT Plant’s duties and demurrages and the cost of the machinery import has shot
up to several millions. The TDAP has to pay an amount of Rs33 million in
demurrages only, they say.
Despite a big urgency the new leadership of the TDAP is in deep slumber as the
Secretary, a junior level officer, has her own priorities. She has looked more
interested in foreign trips and some fashions shows than taking the
responsibility to safeguard country’s exports.
It
is pertinent to note that exports during April and may have dropped
significantly, sources said adding that the newly appointed Chief Executive
from private sector has proceeded to long vacation after making tall claims of
bringing Pakistan’s exports to over $50 billion, while exporters have been left
to suffer once again.
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