Citrus Olympics: USAID celebrates harmonization of Indonesian import calendar with Pakistan's 'kinnow' export season

SARGODHA - U.S. Consul General Yuriy Fedkiw and Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Iwan Suyudhie Amri participated in the announcement of the harmonization of Indonesia’s import calendar with the Pakistani kinnow export season, thereby increasing trade of this commodity.

The event was organized jointly by the Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA) and USAID’s U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) at the Golden Palm Banquet Hall, in Sargodha.

As a result of concerted efforts by AMD, SCCI, PHDA, and Pakistani kinnow exporters, the Indonesian Government revised their calendar of import quotas, allowing local exporters to send their produce to Indonesia throughout Pakistan’s citrus growing season.



During his remarks at the event, Consul General Yuriy Fedkiw noted that 'the U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is working closely with the Pakistan Government and private sector companies to boost domestic and international sales of selected Pakistani agricultural products, including kinnow'

'Agriculture is a critical sector for employment in Punjab and improving sales will positively benefit the lives of tens of thousands of Punjabis. I am confident that through USAID’s agriculture market development programs, we can propel Punjab’s agriculture towards greater heights.' he added.

To celebrate this accomplishment, children of breadwinners working in the citrus sector participated in Olympic-style games to symbolically denote international agricultural trade and collaboration.

USAID launched the U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development in February 2015 to improve the ability of Pakistan's commercial agriculture and livestock sectors to compete in international and national markets in the four target product lines; meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes, and citrus.

This partnership acts as a catalyst for development and investment in the target product lines, helps improve the quality and increase the quantity of exportable agricultural produce, and promotes cooperation among farmers, processors, exporters, and buyers of Pakistani agricultural products in international (non-U.S.) markets thus resulting in increased incomes and generating employment opportunities for Pakistani people working in the targeted product line.