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Ghee-makers seek permission to export to Iraq, Syria

JAVED MEHMOOD

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has sought the government's permission to export ghee and cooking oil to Iraq and Syria.

The Association, in its meeting with the Minister for Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood this week, maintained that there is vast potential of ghee and cooking oil export to these countries which can be exploited by the local manufacturers, sources told Business Recorder here on Friday.

The Minister, however, has asked the manufacturers to first work out whether or not the export of these two edible items was feasible, and also provide these details to the Ministry for a proper decision.

Dawood made it clear to the Association that his Ministry would allow the export of ghee and cooking oil only if their export would be profitable.

During meeting the minister outrightly rejected the demand for duty on the import of oilseed. The Association had taken the plea that the duty-free import of oilseed was causing loss to the government, the local industry and the farmers.

However, the office-bearers of All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA), who were also present in the meeting, adequately defended import of oilseed and pointed out there that country has saved nearly $250 million due to decline in the import of palm and soyabean oils following duty-free import of oilseed and local production of canola and sunflower crops.