Pakistan sees $1bn exports to the UAE

Exports to Malaysia grow 6.15pc

Pakistani exporters can easily double their food exports to the UAE from 500 million to 1 billion as the Gulf country needs all kinds of foodstuff, from fresh vegetables to meat and frozen food, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan told media persons.

Around 30 exhibitors are representing the country at the food exhibition. Of this number, 23 companies are participating under the banner of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, which promotes trade and investment for the country.

"Last year, our exhibitors got reasonably good orders and that's why we had reached to a level of almost 500 million exports to the UAE," Khan said during his visit to Pakistan's pavilion at the exhibition.

"We feel that our exporters have much larger potential and that could take them from the current level of 500 million to 1 billion easily, because this country imports food items worth more than 5 billion," he added.

However, total food consumption of the country is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 6.2 per cent to reach a value of Dh37.5 billion in 2017, BMI added. According to the estimates, Gulf countries import more than 250,000 tonnes of meat, with 100,000 tonnes of this being imported from Australia alone. So there is a large scope for Pakistan to increase exports to the UAE and other GCC nations, Khan said. "Our exporters can take the advantage of being one of the closest countries," he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's exports to Malaysia have risen by 6.15 per cent according to trade figures available for the period January-October 2012, says a press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Quoting statistics from January till October 2012, the statement says Pakistan has exported goods worth US$232.81 million to Malaysia, registering a growth of 6.15 per cent or US$13.48 million over the US$219.33 million exports of corresponding period last year. During both the years, rice stood as the highest contributor and a major export to Malaysia, contributing to 25 per cent (US$54.08 million) of the total exports in 2011, and 29 per cent (US$66.51 million) of the total exports in 2012.

From January to October 2012, the export of bed-linen increased by 13.96 per cent (US$0.62 million), electrical appliances by 76.15 per cent (US$1.42 million), rice by 22.97 per cent (US$12.42 million), potatoes by 164.14 per cent (US$3.15 million), maize by 58.88 per cent ( US$14.36 million) and fish by 21.94 per cent (US$2.19 million).