KARACHI: 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 the Intellectual Property Organization like Basmati rice. He termed minerals to chemicals value addition to the future of Pakistan, stating that instead of traditional items, we have to focus on other export sectors so that exports get a boost.
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 is being considered by PMDC. “There are 92 minerals in Pakistan, but except for gypsum, no work has been done on minerals to chemicals, but we have started research work in this regard, with the aim of establishing a testing laboratory in Balochistan, for which the Trade Development Authority should cooperate with us.”
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 5 years.
Zubair Motiwala, CEO TADAP, while assuring support for establishment of testing laboratory in Balochistan and GI tag of pink salt, said that 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 PABF PCCI, said that exports should not be limited to a few sectors, especially minerals and agricultural sectors 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 that we have issued 86 permits for salt while 39,000 hectares of land has 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 will be able to use the logo.
