Tag: TDAP

  • Govt attributes UAE’s fresh meat export ban to faulty refrigeration systems in containers

    Govt attributes UAE’s fresh meat export ban to faulty refrigeration systems in containers

    The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has attributed the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) restriction on fresh chilled meat exports from Pakistan to issues with inefficient or non-functional refrigeration systems.

    The ban, effective October 10, 2023, was enacted in response to substandard fresh beef shipments detected in Dubai. TDAP revealed that subpar meat quality was linked to refrigeration problems in reefer containers, a responsibility of shipping lines. Exporters affected by the ban have filed claims against these shipping entities.

    According to Brecorder, the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment revised its list of approved slaughterhouses for meat exports via sea routes, imposing specific requirements on shipments of fresh and chilled meat until October 10. Only vacuum-packed or modified-atmosphere-packed meat, conforming to specific shelf-life criteria, will be permitted via sea transport.

    Notably, this ban does not affect fresh and chilled meat shipments by air. TDAP is actively engaged in resolving the issue, with the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai collaborating with stakeholders to determine the cause. TDAP remains optimistic that constructive dialogue and cooperation will lead to a resolution, allowing the resumption of fresh chilled meat exports from Pakistan to the UAE.

  • Efforts underway to resolve UAE meat export ban

    Efforts underway to resolve UAE meat export ban

    The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is optimistic about resolving the issue of fresh chilled meat exports from Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a friendly manner. 

    According to Geo News, TDAP is actively working to address the recent ban imposed by the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment on shipping fresh chilled meat from Pakistan by sea. 

    TDAP’s initial investigation suggests that the meat quality issue in the UAE may be due to problems with the refrigeration systems on the shipping containers. TDAP emphasises that it’s the responsibility of the shipping line to ensure proper refrigeration during transport. 

    Furthermore, TDAP mentions that the exporters involved have filed claims against the shipping line for damages. 

    Read more: Fungus found: UAE bans fresh meat imports from Pakistan 

    To resolve the situation, the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai has formally requested a meeting with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. 

    The goal of this meeting is to present Pakistan’s viewpoint and address the UAE’s concerns. TDAP is committed to both addressing these concerns and strongly advocating for the ban to be lifted. 

  • Pakistan’s e-commerce market size increases to Rs96bn

    Pakistan’s e-commerce market size increases to Rs96bn

    Pakistan’s e-commerce marketing size has increased to Rs96 billion in the first quarter of the financial year 2021 as compared to Rs71 billion in the first quarter of the financial year 2020.

    This was informed during the fourth meeting of the National e-Commerce Council (NeCC), chaired by Abdul Razak Dawood, advisor to Prime Minister (PM) on commerce.

    NeCC is a body of representatives from the public and private sector, established under the National e-Commerce Policy approved by the cabinet in October 2019.

    According to officials, the NeCC discussed operationalisation of cross border e-commerce procedures, incentives to promote e-commerce, ways to introduce international payment services.

    Furthermore, deliberations on the mercantile stock exchange, digital on-boarding services, reports of the consultative committee on Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), e-commerce business facilitation portal, consumer protection councils, availability of broadband to remote areas, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) a digital transformation process, and collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) on e-commerce related matters were also discussed.

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) informed the meeting on the legal framework updates, including e-commerce rules regarding the mechanism of imports goods clearance, and return of goods policy.

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also gave a detailed presentation on efforts to promote cross-border e-commerce.

    The National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT) informed the meeting that they are developing a payment solution for cross border/international payments in collaboration with the SBP through which people outside of Pakistan will be able to pay through Paypal, Google Pay and Apple Pay. Payments within Pakistan will be processed through the help.

    NIFT said that the payment system was to become functional by the end of 2020 but the diversion of efforts towards COVID affected the plan badly.

    Meanwhile, the sub-committee on financial inclusion and digitization shared its progress of conducting three webinars for freelancers, mobile wallets, account-based solutions and card-based payments.