Islamabad: Pakistan needs to increase trade with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Countries especially in agriculture sector as this region would give us $1 billion per year to our National Kitty. Chief Executive Officer Harvest Tradings, Ahmad Jawad has stated this in a press statement issued on Tuesday.

He said that our Rice, Fresh Fruits and Floriculture sector will be eye catching products for ASEAN countries subject to we initiate in letter & spirit. We are the fifth largest producer of mangoes, fourth largest producer of dates & rice and thirteen largest producer of citrus, he added.

Jawad urged that ASEAN & Pakistan must established working group on Agriculture aims to facilitate promotion of joint research for development of technologies for increasing production and productivity in agricultural and allied systems, efficient management of natural resources, development of joint ventures and exchange of technologies. ASEAN is consisting of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.

He said that currently have started the process with Malaysia and Indonesia under Free Trade Agreement in this region, but still a lot of room is available. If you take a example of kinnow, 50% of Kinnow (Mandarin Orange) are being exported to UAE and Saudi Arabia which are commissioned markets and not a big attraction by any standards for exporters of Fresh Produce. Jawad further said that government must give directive to PHDEC and Ministry of Commerce to chalk out a detailed plan and hold the exhibition one by one in each country of ASEAN forum.