A protocol has been signed in which Pakistan will export onion to China, making a way for more Pakistani agriculture products to reach Chinese markets.
The treaty for examination and seclusion necessities for export of onion from Pakistan to China between the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and General Administration of Customs China (GACC) penned down by Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhr Imam and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in Islamabad.
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A statement declared at the end of the ceremony that both sides reiterated that initiatives like this would further fortify affairs between the two countries. These trade-related memos of understanding would help to bring the people of both countries even closer to each other.
The DPP will hold pest studies and devise internationally recognized and integrated pest management practices in the rising season of onion to ensure pest-free export of the yield to China.
Moreover, the processing companies eager to trade onion to China will be listed and suggested by DPP after the consent through inspection for further registration with GACC.
In January 2019, the developmental work related to quarantine and phytosanitary techniques for the export of Pakistani onion to China was initiated. The National Plant Protection Organizations of the two countries held Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) and practical discussions resulted in the form of protocol during April 2021.
With the intention of safe entry of onion from Pakistan to China and to avert the introduction of pests and to defend plant health under provisions of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS agreement) of the World Trade Organisation, both the countries decided to sign the protocol.
Mr. Fakhar Imam, while talking to the protocol signing ceremony, said that Pakistan has around 138,000 hectares and 1.8 million tons of onion production positions at the sixth and ninth positions with regard to area under cultivation and production, correspondingly.
