Pakistan slaps 25 pc duty on Indian potatoes

Islamabad, Jan 14: Potatoes from India will now be dearer for Pakistanis after the levy of a 25 percent tax import duty.

The Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) chaired by Prime Minister's Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin has slapped an import duty of 25 percent on potatoes coming from India, The Nation reported.

A statement issued by the Committee said that the decision was taken due to Pakistan's self-sufficiency in potato cultivation. It added that higher tax imposed against the Indian potatoes would encourage the Pakistani farmers to increase their crop yield.

"The ECC decision would provide incentive to local farmers for increasing crop yield to cater to domestic market needs. Pakistan is now self-sufficiency in indigenous production of potatoes growing more than 2.5 million tonnes on 1.3 million hectares area of land," the statement said.

ANI