Pakistan is targeting to double its tea imports from India by 2015 — from 24 million kg in 2011 to 50 million kg. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Indian Tea Association and the Pakistan Tea Association (PTA) on Tuesday.
The managing partner of PTA, Mohammad Hanif Janoo, said here at a press conference that besides the South Indian teas, consumers in his country were keen to try out other types of CTC teas from Assam and Dooars. The delegation also attended a tea-tasting session.
“We believe that this will open up opportunity for trade, in general, between the two countries,” ITA Chairman C. S. Bedi said. This was the first visit by a Pakistani tea delegation since 2007.
Pakistan is one of the top three tea importing nations with a consumption of 220 million kg and an official import of 120 million kg. Its main supplier is Kenya.
On the demand by Indian tea exporters to get the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, Mr Janoo said that other than countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka all other exporting countries had to pay the tariff.
Published - April 11, 2012 01:39 am IST