14th January 2021: Consulate General of Pakistan, Manchester organised a webinar on “Export Potential of Dates to United Kingdom” in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan on Thursday 14th January, 2021 at 07:00 pm (PST) and 02:00pm (BST) through Zoom Video Link. The objective of the webinar was to create awareness among the relevant stakeholders including Pakistani exporters as well as growers of dates about the dynamics of UK’s dates market and explore the marketing opportunities in UK and Europe.
About 70 exporters and growers of dates from all over Pakistan along with the representatives of Sindh Enterprise Development Fund, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, Sindh Abadgar Foundation, Dhakki Dates Cooperative Society and Baluchistan Dates Development Organization attended the webinar, among others.
Mr. Muhammad Tariq Wazir, Consul General of Pakistan-Manchester, in his opening remarks stressed on the need to strengthen collaboration on all levels to unlock the marketing potential of Pakistani fresh and table dates. He was of the view that Pakistani exporters should diversify their exports to the UK and focus more on fresh and table dates compared to industrial dates to earn more revenue for themselves and the country. He sensitised the exporters that currently Pakistani fresh and table dates are invisible in UK’s market which doesn’t reflect the true potential. Mr. Shafiq A Shahzad, Minister-Trade & Investment-London briefed the participants about the European dates market and applicable regulations related to labelling, SPS and TBT measures. Mr. Abdul Karim Memon, D.G TDAP apprised about TDAP initiatives for getting more market access for Pakistani dates. He informed that TDAP had initiated Dates Diplomacy and promotional campaign through Pakistan’s diplomatic and commercial missions abroad by providing dates samples and organising webinars.
Furthermore, Pakistani origin renowned businessmen in the UK, including Mr. Sardar Shafquat Khan-SVP UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry and CEO ABI International Foods, Mr. PervaizAlam-CEO Worldwide Foods Pvt Limited, Mr. Abid Hussain-GM NQV Foods Pvt Limited, Mr. Khalid Mahmood Chaudhry-CEO AA Veg Pvt Ltd, Dr.Amjad Parvez from Bradford, shared their experiences and trends of UK’s market of dates and the required means to capture this market. They also assured the growers and exporters to market their products using their distribution channels and display outlets provided they could maintain the quality and standards.
The webinar ended with a questions and answers session during which speakers provided detailed answers to the questions asked by growers and exporters of dates. Participants wholeheartedly appreciated the efforts being made by the Consulate General of Pakistan Manchester and the Trade Mission in London in promoting Pakistani products especially dates and developing linkages among the stake holders on both sides.