ISLAMABAD – Pakistan was contemplating to launch a specialized fast cargovessel service between Karachi and UAE to decrease transit time and cost totake advantage of the growing food import market of UAE.
This was said in a statement by Director General, TDAP Dr. Mohammad Usmanin a meeting on Monday, reported *The News.*
Mr. Usman in a statement said airlifting raises cost and currently foodproducts were being airlifted and shipped via sea.
He added this was the country’s food products exports were being rendereduncompetitive and shipping items via sea took a longer time duration whichimpacted their quality.
TDAP Director General highlighted initiating a specialized cargo servicewould be immensely beneficial for the exporters.
He shared the authorities were formulating a plan in this regard and theservice may be initiated soon.
Previously in November of last year, the matter was discussed withPakistani authorities for launching a specialized fast cargo vessel servicebetween Karachi and UAE to decrease transit cost and time.
Not only will this aide meat exporters but permit exporters of freshvegetables and fruits to export perishable items via sea at a decreasedcost.
Dubai Municipality Department officer Safwan Abdullah Ishaq shared datathat UAE handled 19,739 consignments from Pakistan in 2016 and number fellto 16,640 consignments in 2017.
Mr. Ishaq said 622 consignments were rejected by UAE authorities in 2017compared to 579 in 2016. These shipments were turned down by the UAEauthorities due to certification contraventions, test of samples and foodlabel violation.
He added UAE handled around 1,000 containers of food products per day andwas a major food importer.