Pakistan Launches Plan To Meet EU Tuna Health Standardsff
17 January 2008
Pakistan The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has launched implementation plan to meet European Union (EU) standards and boost fish exports.
In this regard TDAP Chief Executive Tariq Ikram held a meeting of Pakistan Sea Food Industries Association (PSIA) representatives and outlined the implementation plan to improve fisheries sector in Pakistan. PSIA Chairman Sardar Muhammad Hanif Khan, its Vice Chairman Faisal Iftikhar and other representatives Akhlaq Hussain and Iftikhar Zaidi and high officials of TDAP attended the meeting.
The implementation plan envisages certification of boats by Ministry of Fisheries, but inspection and repair of boats will be carried out by the technical expertise of Karachi Shipyard (6-monthly checks for certification). While the management of harbor is proposed to be outsourced given to some international agency and processing and peeling units to be ISO certified.
Under the plan, boxes to be laminated and National Bank of Pakistan will be requested to facilitate on 50/50 basis in installation provided, where required as well as ice flake to be provided to boats via balloting. The members of fisheries association appreciated the government plan and requested for expertise for its implementation. The association also informed that tuna and mackerel canning plant are already working in Pakistan.
The association while reviewing the calendar of events for the year 2008 identified new markets, which would be of great value to seafood exports and for participation.
It was proposed to send three to four research delegations of fish associations to visit some top ten countries, identified to explore the possibilities for further enhancing fish exports to those particular countries.
