Ismail Suttar, Chairman Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP), has urged the government to speed up efforts to get pink salt registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) tag product through Intellectual Property Organizations like Basmati rice. He termed minerals as a chemical value addition to the future of Pakistan, stating that instead of traditional items, we have to focus on other export sectors to boost exports.
He expressed these thoughts while addressing the annual dinner of the SMAP. On this occasion, CEO TDAP Zubair Motiwala, Secretary Mines Sindh Khalid Chachar, Chairman PAB FPCCI Younus Dagha, CEO Ismail Industries Maqsood Ismail, Program Manager USI Sindh Balochistan Dr Fatima Khan, General Manager Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation Asghar Karim, SVP FPCCI Suleman Chawla, SVP SMAP Yaqoob Paracha, Chief Coordinator Site Association of Industry Saleem Parekh and other members were also present in large numbers.
Ismail Suttar said that 50 companies had applied for the pink salt GI tag, which PMDC is considering. “There are 92 minerals in Pakistan, but except for gypsum, no work has been done on minerals to chemicals. However, we have started research to establish a testing laboratory in Balochistan, for which the Trade Development Authority should cooperate.”
He added that Younus Dagha is setting up a calcium fluoride unit in Hub, which is expected to become the number one export item in the next five years.
Zubair Motiwala, CEO of TADAP, assuring support for establishing a testing laboratory in Balochistan and GI tag of pink salt, said there were vast opportunities for development in the pink salt sector. Appreciating the efforts of Ismail Suttar and Younus Dagha, he said that the government should focus on minerals to chemicals and encourage value addition.
Younus Dagha, Chairman of PABF PCCI, said that exports should be wider than just a few sectors, especially minerals and agriculture, that need attention. ”We are working on Minerals to Chemicals, which has immense opportunities for value addition. Currently, Chrome is being exported at $200 per ton, which may go up to $400 after value addition, while the value of Ferrochrome is up to $1,400.
Secretary Mines Sindh Khalid Chachar said we had issued 86 permits for salt while 39,000 hectares of land have been leased.
Asghar Karim, General Manager of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, said that pink salt is being registered, after which traders associated with this sector can use the logo.
CAPTION:
Zubair Motiwala, CEO of TADAP, Ismail Suttar, Chairman Salt Manufacturers Association, presenting crest to Khalid Chachar, Secretary Mines Sindh. Younus Dagha, Chairman of PAB FPCCI, is also seen in the Picture.