(20 October 2017)
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said poultry has emerged as second largest industry after textiles but it is not getting due attention of the policymakers.
The Rs 750 billion industry can become an important player in the 300 billion dollar halal market if its issues are resolved in consultation with Pakistan Poultry Association which will improve revenue, employment and Forex earnings, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that Central Asian countries, Middle East and Russia imports over six billion dollars of poultry while there are over fifty million Muslims in Europe who prefer to buy Halal products but Pakistan’s share in this trade remains low.
Country can benefit from this vibrant sector, playing important role in food security, according to its potential if the issues like refund, energy provision, taxation etc. are resolved, he added.
Majority of poultry exporters do not claim refunds and those who claim gets nothing which reflects badly in their ability to compete with other countries, he observed.
Some stakeholders in the poultry supply chain have reservations over the trade agreements with China and Malaysia therefore their issues must be addressed with the help of Pakistan Poultry Association, he said.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that conventional exports like textiles, rice and leather goods are nose-diving since years therefore government should also consider promoting unconventional exports in which poultry sector stands apart.
He said that expanding exports base is as necessary as expanding the tax base, therefore economic emergency should be promulgated.
