Tea Board plans to set up India Tea Centre in Pakistan

Kolkata, May 1 (UNI) With a view to promoting tea industry in Pakistan, Indian tea industry, along with Tea board, is planning to set up an Indian Tea Centre in that country.

Indian Tea Association secretary Manojit DasGupta told UNI today that after discussion with the local industry in Pakistan and Pak Chamber of Commerce in that country, the Tea Board and the tea industry representatives, after its recent visit to Pakistan, decided to set up a tea centre to boost exports. The Centre would have space for buyer-seller meets and tea testing areas.

A 14-member Indian tea delegation has returned from Pakistan on Sunday. The delegation, led by Tea Board chairman Basudeb Bannerjee, included Sangeeta Kicchlu of Jayshree Tea, Gautam Bhalla of Warren Tea, Azal Monem of Mcleod Russel and ITA secretary Manojit DasGupta.

The delegation members had held several meetings with Pak blenders, packeteers and trade bodies, led by Pakistan Tea Association chairman. The delegates also met North West Frontier Pak chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives.

''We have increased our exports to Pakistan from 7.5 million tonnes to 10.5 million tonnes this year. The creation of the India Trade Centre will further boost growth of exports in that country,'' Tea Board Chairman Basudeb Bannerjee told UNI.

''Pakistan is a 170 million market and we will be able to tap the market in a major way following the regular exchanges between the two countries,'' he said.

UNI