Tea export to Pak reaches 20 million, delegation to visit Karachi

Kolkata, Dec 15 (UNI) Indian Tea export to Pakistan is expected to touch around 20 million in December end, Tea Board of India Chairman Basudeb Banerjee said here today.

Talking to UNI, Mr Banerjee said, '' We expect the export figures to reach 20 million at the end of December(calendar year). Last year it was 10.5 million. '' Shipments through Karachi port and several delegations in the past few years had led to growth of tea export in this country.

Earlier, there was cross border illegal tea trade between India and Pakistan,he said.

'' Pakistan mainly prefer CTC tea and the country has exported the tea this year from South India, '' he said.

'' To boost further export growth, we are planning to take a delegation to Pakistan in January, 2007. This delegation will comprise tea exporters, producers and other stakeholders, '' he said.

The Tea Board Chairman will also accompany the delegation.

UNI JYN SJC RN1522