Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) in collaboration with globally renowned certification and inspection body SGS held a highly informative awareness session on international food safety standards and certifications at the Chamber Secretariat. The session was presided over by HCSTSI Senior Vice President Ahmed Idrees Chohan, who, in his opening remarks, emphasized the growing need for food-related businesses and manufacturers to align their processes with international quality standards. He highlighted that such sessions are essential to connect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with global markets, enabling them to certify their businesses and enhance their export potential.
The SGS presentation, led by Manager Business Development Mudassir Nazir and his team, provided detailed insights into the organization’s global footprint, services in Pakistan, and its comprehensive food safety and quality assurance solutions. It was highlighted that SGS is a leading global player in testing, inspection, and certification of food, agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products. Operating in Pakistan since 1952, SGS currently runs 14 offices and laboratories across the country, employing over 1,000 professionals.
During the session, the SGS team outlined the international certifications offered by the organization, including ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, and GLOBALG.A.P — all globally recognized and vital for exporters. The audience was also briefed on the testing procedures and international laboratory practices related to various food products such as rice, mangoes, orange, potatoes, spices, meat, dairy, dry fruits, confectionery, and bakery items.
SGS experts elaborated on the state-of-the-art testing facilities available in their laboratories across Pakistan, covering chemical, microbiological, nutritional, vitamin, heavy metals, aflatoxin, GMO, Halal and allergen testing. A special highlight was given to the “Farm to Fork” model, which ensures strict quality control from the seed level all the way to the consumer. The team also shared SGS’s capabilities in label verification, food storage assessments, fumigation services, and container inspection all vital services for exporters.
Director General Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Asim Tiwana, also addressed the session virtually. He emphasized that adherence to international food safety standards is essential to increase Pakistan’s food exports and lauded the initiative of the Hyderabad Chamber for organizing such a vital program. Director TDAP Salman Jokhio, while addressing participants, termed the collaboration between public and private sectors as a key factor in the growth of the food industry.
During the concluding stages of the session, Chamber Vice President Shan Sehgal, stated that SGS should have a permanent office in Hyderabad to operate more effectively and establish a strong liaison with the Chamber. This would help them build better relations with the traders of Hyderabad. Along with this, Convener Food Subcommittee, Ch. Muhammad Aslam and TDAP Hyderabad Incharge Salahuddin Abbasi, also participated in the question and answer session.
Among the key attendees were SGS Senior Executive Business Development Hamza Ahmed Khan, Executive Officers Shahzaib Razzaq and Naqash Ahmed, Assistant Manager Anwar Ahmed, along with HCSTSI Former Presidents Saleemuddin Qureshi and Akram Ansari, executive committee members, convener subcommittees, general body members and professionals from the food industry.
