LAHORE, Aug 18: Six Pakistani exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables have been selected by the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries Netherlands for its export coaching programme.

According to a press release, efforts by Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) and the commercial wing of the Embassy of Pakistan in the Netherlands have enabled Pakistan to qualify for the programme for the first time since it was offered to developing countries in 2007.

Seeing substantial potential in the programme, the Agribusiness Support Fund assumed the responsibility earlier this year since no other agency in Pakistan had been successful, and the deadline for the programme had lapsed.

Timely intervention by the commercial wing of the Pakistan Embassy in Netherlands allowed the deadline to be extended for Pakistan as a special case by the CBI.

This followed short-listing of 14 applicants by the ASF, out of which six have been pre-selected by the CBI, an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and part of the development cooperation effort of the Netherlands.

CBI contributes to equitable economic development of selected developing countries by providing export marketing and management support for increasing exports to Europe.

ECP is a unique initiative by CBI for extending high level of support to exporters from developing countries struggling to market their fresh fruit and vegetables in the European Union.

The programme has been especially designed to help selected companies with export ambition and potential to surmount the many obstacles separating them from sustainable European sales.

CBI`s support under this programme includes on-site company audits and counseling, an in-depth training at home and in Europe and participation in leading European trade fairs. The single purpose of the ECP is to enable participating export companies to establish a healthy, long-term position on EU market.