Commerce ministry works out summary to import onion, tomato from Iran, Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (Online): Commerce ministry has worked out summary to import onion and tomato from Iran and Afghanistan.

A meeting was held under the commerce minister Naveed Qamar here Tuesday to review the availability of tomato and onion in the country.

During the meeting it was told the country will have to face shortage of tomato and onion in the next three months. The recent floods have caused enormous damage to the crops. As a result the prices of crops will scale up and shortage is likely to take place.

The participants of the meeting agreed on it that import of tomato and onion will stabilize the prices of commodities and ensure their availability in the market.

Commerce ministry, ministry for national food security and research and FBR will work together to further ease the process of import of tomato and onion. They will also monitor the day to day situation to ensure the availability of these goods in the market.

It was further told that the private sector imports and supplies both these goods.

A proposal will be floated in the meeting of Economic coordination committee that permission be given to waive levies and duties on import of onion and tomato so that the goods could become available at lower rates.

It was also discussed in the meeting that imports from Iran and Afghanistan will impact the foreign exchange reserves less because special arrangements are in place for trade with these two countries.