ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industry and Commerce Jam Kamal Khan announced that the government will establish a committee to develop an edible oil policy aimed at enhancing the export of ghee and oil. The decision was articulated during a meeting with Sheikh Umar Rehan, Chairman of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association.

According to Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the meeting was also attended by FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Senior Vice Chairman Asjad Arif, Vice Chairman Khalid Islam, Sheikh Amjad Rashid, and Sohail Malik. Jam Kamal Khan underscored the essential role of ghee and oil in every household and emphasized the government's priority to boost local production to reduce import dependence. He assured that the government will offer all feasible support to exporters, importers, and industrialists.

Sheikh Umar Rehan highlighted the potential for exporting ghee and oil to regions such as Africa and the Middle East, contingent on government facilitation. He advocated for the removal of export barriers and a reduction in additional import duties, citing the essential nature of these commodities. Rehan noted the ghee and edible oil sector as Pakistan's second-largest revenue generator and stressed the urgency of a government-formulated edible oil policy, given the high global palm oil prices.

Additionally, Rehan urged the government to support local production of ghee and oil from sources like soybean, sunflower, and mustard to minimize import reliance and alleviate foreign exchange pressure. He proposed a pilot project for a rice bran oil industry, suggesting that government support could enable local production and global export of rice bran oil. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh lauded the Ministry of Commerce's performance under Jam Kamal's leadership, affirming the business community's confidence in his initiatives.