A conversation with Mr. Waheed Ahmed — Patron-in-Chief, Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PVFA)
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]Profile:
Current Responsibilities:
Director Marketing
Iftekhar Ahmed & Co. (2004 to date)
Head of National Horticulture Committee, Govt. of Pakistan
Appointed as Head of National Horticulture Committee, Government of Pakistan – FPCCI 2019
Convener
FPCCI Standing Committee on Fruit & Vegetable Exports
Member
Fruit & Vegetable Committee at Trade Development Authority Pakistan
Patron-in-Chief
All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable, Exporters, Importers & Merchant Association (PFVA)
Previous Responsibilities:
Former Vice President
Elected as Vice President of the Pakistan Federation of Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (Year 2018)
Acting President
Also discharged responsibilities as Acting President –FPCCI during absence of the President –FPCCI. (Year 2018)
Chairman
FPPCI’s Standing Committee of Fruit & Vegetables Exports (2017)
Chairman
All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable, Exporters, Importers & Merchant Association (2015-2016)
Member
Advisory Board on Agriculture, Livestock, Dairies Board of Investment Islamabad Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI)
Member
Export Facilitation Committee of TDAP from Federation of Pakistan Chambers of
Commerce & Industry (FPCCI)
Executive Member
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) (2016)
Director
Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company [Semi Government] (2015-2016)
Director
Pak Russia Business Council of FPCCI (2015-2016)
Executive Member
Agriculture Committee at Trade Development Authority Pakistan (2014-15)
Chairman
FPCCI Standing Committee on Fruit & Vegetable Exports (2014)
Advisor, Spokes Person and R&D
All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchant Association (PFVA)
Member
Export Development Fund, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of Pakistan (2012- 2013) (2015-2016)
Director
Pak Russia Business Council of FPCCI (2013-2014)
Director
Pak Ukraine Business Council of FPCCI (2012-2014)
Manager Marketing
Iftekhar Ahmed & Co. (2001 -2004)
Chairman
All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable, Exporters, Importers & Merchant Association (2009-2010) & (2012-2013)
Director
Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (Semi Government) (2012-2013)
Executive Member
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) (2011-012)
Member Advisory Committee
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) (2009-2010)[/box]
While talking to PAKISTAN & GULF ECONOMIST, Mr Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief PFVA disclosed that exporters are badly suffering due to sanction on Russia. In this regard, he has requested Mr. Adbul Razaq Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister on Economy, Trade, Investment & Industry Ministry of Commerce for an immediate action.
The war brings misery for everyone and the exporters are no exception to this phenomenon and they pay a huge price by sustaining huge financial losses. The kinnow exporters of our sector who export kinnow to Russia and Ukraine have been severely hit by this conflict. Here are the issues:
1- Payment (Export Proceeds) stuck up
The payments from Russia have been stuck up due to sanctions on Russia and now the exporters are facing liquidity problems. If the war further prolongs, this issue of payment would be further deepened and hence there is a dire need to put some sort of “Financial Mechanism ” in place to resolve this serious issue.
2- Adjustment of time limit of E-form
The export proceeds are required to be remitted to Pakistan against an E-form within a time frame of 120 days, however, under the prevailing “war condition”, it is more likely that the exporters may be unable to meet time frame as the E-form, which are now “overdue” would lead to various other problems. It is therefore requested that the time frame of these E-form may kindly be extended keeping the specific conditions due to war between Russia and Ukraine.
We strongly anticipate that the issues highlighted above would be resolved on priority basis to extend relief to the “worried exporters” so that they can focus on the primary objective of exports’ enhancement.