Taste of Pakistani mango’ held in Seoul
The first ever mango promotion event in South Korea “Taste of Pakistani Mango” was held in Seoul on Friday, 12th July at a local hotel. The event was organised by the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Pakistan, in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan Horticulture Export & Development Company (PHDEC) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
People from different walks of life in South Korea including a large number of Korean importers and distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables, chain store buyers, prominent Korean businessmen, members of the diplomatic corps, Korean Government officials, members of Pakistani community and media attended the event. Pakistani mangoes entered the Korean Market for the first time in 2012 after years of sustained efforts by the Government and the Embassy of Pakistan. The Korean mango market is worth about 13 million dollars, and is dominated by Thai, Taiwanese and Philippines’ mangoes holding 90% share. However, Pakistani mangoes can capture a substantial share in the Korean market due to their much superior quality and taste.
Shinn, Tae Young, Chairman of the Korean Importers Association (KOIMA) was the chief guest of the event. In his remarks he expressed his delight at the availability of Pakistani mangoes for local consumers. The Ambassador of Pakistan, His Excellency, Shaukat Ali Mukadam, in his welcome address spoke of the growing economic relations of the two countries and the potential of further growth in bilateral trade between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and South Korea has witnessed a steady growth in the last few years, with the volume reaching 1.6 billion dollars in 2012. Pakistan’s exports to Korea in 2012 were 776 million dollars. Pakistan’s Commercial Counsellor in Seoul, Aamir Nazir Gondal, introduced the agri-products and urged Korean importers & distributors to source their horticulture needs from Pakistan. Chairman PHEDC, Hassan Ali Chaniho, in his address, highlighted the strengths of Agriculture Sector in Pakistan and expressed his hope that in view of the increasing bilateral trade between the two countries, high quality fruits & vegetables of Pakistan are available to Korean consumers.
This was followed by display and tasting of different varieties of mango as well as several dishes and delicacies prepared from it. It was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by the participants. On the side lines of the promotion event, several B2B meetings were also held. These included meetings of Sohail Nisar Churra, Chairman, Pakistan Korea Business Council at the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Babar Durrani of Durrani Associates, with Korean importers.