WB: Tea exports to Pak touch 15m

Kolkata, Apr 20: Tea exports to Pakistan will touch 15 million at the end of 2006-07 coinciding with the visit of 13-member delegation visiting Pakistan in the third week of April, close on the heels of the recent delegation to Egypt.

Speaking to UNI, Tea Board chairman Basudeb Banerjee today said, ''A 13-member delegation, led by the Tea Board Chairman, will visit Pakistan which is the first official delegation since 1999.'' Apart from the Tea Board chairman, the team would include the chairman and the secretary general of the India Tea Association, Tea Board officials from Dubai and ten industry representives.

Mr Banerjee said the major issues to be discussed in the meeting would be to look at shipping issues and also opening up land-routes like Wagah for tea-transportation.

The 170-million kg Pakistan tea market has only now begun to open up for India and encouraged by a nearly 50 per cent jump in exports in 2006, 14.8 million kg over 2005, Pakistan, and Egypt are among the thrust markets.

During the visit, the delegation would try to reach traders in Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi.

UNI