Time to shift the tax burden.

Byline: KHALIL AHMED

Mango crops facing the adverse effects of climate change

Fruits, vegetables and value-added industries facing high costs of production

Import duty on spare parts of the value-added industry should be eliminated

Interview with Mr. Waheed Ahmed - Director, IAC.

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:

Waheed Ahmed: I am currently the Marketing Director at Iftekhar Ahmed and Co. (IAC). As a Patron-In-Chief of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association (PFVA) and Chairman of Pakistan's fruits, vegetables, food and beverage sector by the Ministry of Commerce, I try to ensure that I play a positive role in the economic growth of Pakistan, and do everything in my power to focus on the manufacturing of products within Pakistan that can be exported instead of relying on imports.

I have worked in a number of important roles in Government-related trade bodies and associations such as the FPCCI, export, fruit and vegetable, and horticulture committees. I was also recently appointed as the Chairperson of the Sectoral Council for Agriculture and Food Processing by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan. By partnering with the government, I focus on creating stronger trading opportunities for businesses in Pakistan to boost the horticulture industry.

I have played a major role in the development of Pakistan's trade relations, opening trade ties with 15 other countries where I was part of Pakistan's business councils, and promoting Pakistan's export potential to foreign governments.

I am a strong believer in the power of Pakistan's youth, which accounts for around 60% of the country's total population. I believe that with healthy activities and healthy food and drinks, the young population of Pakistan has a major role to play in the development of our country, and it is our youth to nurture and encourage the youth for a better future.

While having an exclusive conversation with PAKISTAN and GULF ECONOMIST, Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA) said that the mango crop in Pakistan is facing the adverse effects of climate change during the current mango season as well, leading the production likely to be reduced by 20%.

The production capacity of mangoes in Pakistan is around 1.8 million M.tons, however, due to the effects of climate change, it is feared that the production is expected to decrease by 20% thus be limited to 1.44 million M.tons. Due to the long...