The elimination of laboratory testing requirements for export of oranges to Malaysia represents a major achievement for the Pakistani citrus industry, according to Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Khawaja Yasir Qayyum.
In a statement, Qayyum explained that Malaysia’s Food Safety and Quality Department (FSQD) had introduced mandatory inspections for orange shipments at Malaysian ports through an advisory issued in November 2024. These measures have posed major challenges to Pakistani exporters.
To address the issue, Qayyum reached out to the Pakistani High Commission in Malaysia and raised the concerns of the ambassador. Subsequently, a meeting was arranged with Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan to deliberate on the solution to the issue.
As a result of these efforts, the FSQD officially eliminated inspection requirements. This decision is expected to significantly boost orange exports from Pakistan to Malaysia, providing a much-needed boost to the citrus trade.