fcci must present viable suggestions for new industrial policy, says npo chief
Published on: January 2, 2024.
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Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Urged to Present Suggestions for New Industrial Policy
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Productivity Organization (NPO), Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry, has called on the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) to provide viable suggestions for a new industrial policy. In addition, he urged the FCCI to submit proper applications to avail the facility of APO/NPO experts or conduct study missions to learn from best practices in their respective sectors.
During a meeting with Dr. Sajjad Arshad, Acting President of the FCCI, Mr. Chaudhry emphasized the importance of value addition in agriculture products. He cited his recent visit to Thailand, where he witnessed the success of dehydrating fruits and vegetables. Thailand, for instance, imports frozen strawberries to produce chips for export. Recognizing the potential for value addition in Pakistan, Mr. Chaudhry mentioned that the NPO is organizing workshops at the provincial level to inform and educate local farmers. He also suggested arranging a workshop in Faisalabad.
Mr. Chaudhry highlighted that post-harvest losses in Pakistan are estimated at 35-40%. He emphasized that value addition and the development of the processing industry can help control these losses. He gave the example of tomatoes, stating that their value could increase from Rs.10 per kg to Rs.250 through value addition. Mr. Chaudhry also mentioned the success of the Agha Khan Foundation in dehydrating apricots in Hunza. The apricots, which used to be sold for Rs.200/kg, are now exported at Rs.2,000/kg.
In addition, Mr. Chaudhry emphasized the potential of Pakistan’s mangoes. He noted that a pilot project for mango pulp in Multan has led to the establishment of 7-8 successful units in the field. Mr. Chaudhry stated that the world demand for mango pulp is 200,000 tons per annum, with India currently supplying 80% of it. He urged Pakistani industrialists to utilize the potential of mangoes for the production of derivatives such as jam and squash.
Dr. Sajjad Arshad, the Acting President of FCCI, echoed the importance of value addition in the agricultural sector. He emphasized that merely increasing production without value addition may result in losses for growers. Dr. Arshad also expressed optimism about the potential for rice exports, stating that Pakistan could increase its exports from $2.5 billion to $5 billion by 2025 and $10 billion by 2030.
Dr. Arshad further highlighted the need for advancements in the textile sector and emphasized the importance of adopting new technologies. He also mentioned the quality of poultry products in Pakistan, which he claimed is on par with the US, primarily due to a lack of government interference. Dr. Arshad encouraged efforts to promote the dairy sector, which offers numerous opportunities for value addition and growth.
Engineer Ahmad Hassan, Convener of the FCCI Standing Committee on R&D, added that wastage of energy should be made a criminal offense to discourage entrepreneurs from wasting resources.
In conclusion, Dr. Sajjad Arshad presented an FCCI shield to Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry, CEO of the NPO.
Source: [UrduPoint](https://www.urdupoint.com)
