| ITA eyes 120m kg Pak tea market - The Economic Times
NEW DELHI
A DELEGATION from Indian Tea Association will visit Pakistan this month end to tap the hitherto unexplored export market.
“Considering the annual Pakistani imports of 110-12 million kg tea, in which India had a marginal share of about two million kg, ITA is sending a delegation to Pakistan which will showcase a wide variety of competitively-priced Indian tea suitable for the Pakistani market,” a senior ITA official said on Friday.
“Though no export target had been set for the delegation, there was a possibility of private contracts for around 1 million kg being signed,” he told. The 12-member delegation led by ITA, chairman, R S Jhawar, would visit Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, during the six-day trip beginning on January 28.
The official said as of now, African tea, notably Kenyan accounted for 80 per cent of the Pakistan’s total imports. As Indian tea had a competitive edge over Kenyan tea, the delegation would meet among others Ashgar Ali, chairman, Pakistan Tea Association (PTA) to help in organising buyer-selller meets.
He said these BSMS would assist Indian exporters to establish direct links with Pakistan traders, and clinch deals at their own levels.
He agreed that there were some countries exporting tea to Pakistan at a much lower price, however their volumes were very low. These included Vietnam and Zimbabwae.
He said PTA had reportedly petitioned the federal government to lower the customs duty and if this happened it could work to India’s advantage.
Current customs duty on tea in Pakistan was 25 per cent and with sales tax and other levies the overall incidence of tax was around 45 per cent.
An Indian delegation had earlier visited Pakistan in 1997 and the current visit was expected to revive trade contacts and boost exports, he added.— PTI
20.01.2001
The Economic Times
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