Faiza Tehseen

The government has been urged to ensure the early implementation of the Second Free Trade Agreement (FTA2) with China to boost Pakistan’s seafood exports. Vice-Chairman of Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, Karachi, Mian Saeed Fareed demanded this while talking to WealthPK. He said a meeting between the General Administration of China Customs and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) was held early this month to review the two clauses, which were not included in FTA1 – the addition of neglected Harmonised System (HS) codes for a variety of seafood in fresh, frozen, or processed form, and to export Pakistani products duty free to China. He said the absence of HS codes was marring Pakistani seafood exports and depriving the country of a great market share.

“With the activation of FTA2, which has incorporated the two clauses, Pakistani seafood exports will soar,” he said. He regretted that the ministry of commerce had failed to add in FTA1 the HS codes of a variety of seafood items that were usually exported, including ribbon fish, cuttlefish, squid, a few shells, and shrimp species. Saeed Fareed said Pakistan’s overall fisheries exports were worth about $400 million per annum. “I have been in the seafood export business since 2004.

I export multiple types of both fresh and frozen seafood items. My specialty is in the export of crabs and shells. I export shrimp mostly to China and Middle Eastern countries, while cockles and crabs are exported to Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, etc. Other mix catches are exported to other countries as per demand. It is very important for our policymakers to add a variety of names with properly issued titles and HS codes to make Pakistani fisheries exports versatile.”

Discussing the benefits provided to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on their exports to China, he said Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association was demanded the same privilege on their exports to China. “Exports from ASEAN countries in China are duty-free, and this facility should also be extended to Pakistan.” He said FTA2 had been signed and submitted to the ministry of commerce for implementation. “As China is the main market destination for Pakistani aquatic catch, its cooperation will be of immense importance in facilitating the duty-free arrival of Pakistani fish products there,” said Saeed Fareed.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk