PAKISTAN – AFGHANISTAN

CROSS BORDER TRADE MEETING

on

FORTIFIED WHEAT FLOUR AND EDIBLE OILS

(Insert group photo with Secretary Health).

Workshop Report

23 – 25 May 2016

Islamabad

DISCLAIMER This report is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of GAIN and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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CONTENTS Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................................... 4

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Key recommendations ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Government and regulatory agencies ............................................................................................................. 6

Industry, export and trading sectors ............................................................................................................... 6

General recommendations .............................................................................................................................. 7

Next steps ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Conclusions .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Background .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Objectives .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Participants ........................................................................................................................................................ 11

Day 1 - Opening speeches ................................................................................................................................. 12

Day 1 - Presentations and discussion ................................................................................................................ 15

........................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Day 1 - Breakout session ................................................................................................................................... 22

Key recommendations of Working Groups ................................................................................................... 23

Day 2 - Presentations and discussion ................................................................................................................ 24

Panel Remarks, Mr. Naeem Butt, Chairman, All Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), Pakistan ........... 29

Certification Distribution and Group Photo ...................................................................................................... 31

About the Organizers ........................................................................................................................................ 32

Annex 1. Agenda ................................................................................................................................................ 33

Annex 2. Participants List for cross border meeting ......................................................................................... 37

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ACRONYMS

ACCI Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries

AFTA Afghanistan Flour Traders’ Association

ANSA Afghanistan National Standard Authority

CAR Central Asia region

DFID UK Department for International Development

DoH Department of Health

DoF Department of Food

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

GAIN Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition

GOP Government of Pakistan

GPF GAIN Premix Facility

HR Human Resources

IDA Iron deficiency anemia

IMR Infant Mortality Rate

ISO International Organization for Standardization

KPK Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

LSFF Large Scale Food Fortification

MAIL Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MI Micronutrient Initiative

MMR Maternal Mortality Rate

MNSHRC Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination

MoPH Ministry of Public Health

NFA National Fortification Alliance

NGO Non-governmental organization

NTD Neural tube defects

PCSIR Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

PFMA Pakistan Flour Millers Association

PND Public Nutrition Department

PSQCA Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority

PVMA Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturer Association

QA/QC Quality assurance and quality control

SDG Sustainable Development Goals

SUN Scaling up Nutrition

TDRO Trade Dispute Resolution Organization (Pakistan)

UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USDA United Stated Department of Agriculture

USI Universal Salt Iodization

WHO World Health Organization

WTO World Trade Organization

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This report is the collective effort of the core organizing team led by Dr. Mohamed Mansour and comprising

of Sofiya Khan, Sayed Jamaluddin Sediqi, Kishwer Durrani, Fuad Hamid, Muhammad Qavi Khan, Uzma Litaf

and Ali Mohiuddin. Special thanks to Dora Panagides, GAIN Senior Program Manager, LSFF, for her invaluable

reviews and comments; to Sahra Mohamed for her effective backstopping and help in preparing meeting

materials; to Caroline Manus for her advice on meeting logistics and setup, and to Dr. Wahdati for his overall

guidance. We thank the general staff at the GAIN Pakistan office for working long hours. We would like to

extend a special thank you to Mr. Muhammad Aslam Shaheen, Chief Nutrition Section, Planning

Commission, who supported the meeting from its inception. His agreement to allow Dr. Ali Ahmad Khan to

help facilitate the meeting’s first day was highly appreciated, as was Dr. Ali Ahmad Khan’s facilitation and

coaching of Mr. Muhammad Qavi Khan for the second day. Special thanks to Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai,

Director of Nutrition and Secretary of the National Fortification Alliance who provided support and

leadership and ensured high level participation from the Pakistan government, particularly the Honorable

Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Secretary of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

This meeting was funded by USAID/Pakistan and USAID/Afghanistan.

Dr. Mohamed Mansour Acting Senior Program Manager Pakistan Regional Food Fortification Project

The Afghanistan Delegation

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Cross Border Trade Meeting on Fortified Wheat Flour and Edible Oils (Islamabad,

May 23-25, 2016) aimed to facilitate and accelerate exports of adequately fortified foods wheat flour and

edible oil/ghee from Pakistan to Afghanistan through engagement, dialogue, negotiations and knowledge

exchange. The meeting targeted producers, exporters, traders, government and other bodies regulating

production, import and export of flour and edible oil/ghee in both countries. Specific objectives included:

Facilitating engagement, dialogue and negotiations among key stakeholders involved in production,

regulation, marketing and trade of wheat flour and edible oil/ghee between the two countries, in

order to stimulate exports of fortified wheat flour and edible oil/ghee to Afghanistan.

Enhancing knowledge-sharing between the two countries on regulations, trade procedures,

requirements, and market preferences among key trade partners.

Identifying and agreeing upon practical measures for quality assurance/control of exported foods,

and on specifications for packaging, labeling and logo design to meet Afghan market demand and

consumer preferences.

The meeting included presentations and discussions, as well as deliberations by a working group of exporters

and traders of wheat flour and edible oil/ghee from both countries. The more than 80 participants (Annex 2)

included:

Government representatives from both countries - health, food and agriculture, commerce and

industry, research, science and technology, and national regulatory bodies.

Private sector participants from national chambers of commerce and industry, wheat flour millers,

edible oil industry, trader’s associations and national premix suppliers. A representative of the

Bakers’ Association of Afghanistan was also present.

Pakistan’s international development sector (DFID, MI, SUN Business Network).

The meeting was inaugurated by the Honorable Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Secretary of Ministry of National

Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MNHS & RC) and Mr. S.A. Nasir Yousofi, Deputy Head of

Mission, Afghanistan Embassy. Guest speakers included Mr. Mohammad Aslam Shaheen, National SUN

Business Network, and Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Secretary of the National Fortification Alliance. For security

reasons, USAID/Pakistan was not able to participate in the opening and deliberations of the meeting.

Day 1 began with key speeches from Pakistani and Afghan officials, followed by updates on food fortification

at national and regional level from Pakistani and Afghan representatives. Five regional Pakistan health and

food departments and one research and development department presented their findings. The day

concluded with breakout sessions for regulatory agencies and the industry and trade sector.

Day 2 saw presentations on fortification standards and regulations and on trade policies, as well as

procedures and agreements between Pakistan and Afghanistan. A high ranking official from Pakistan’s

Ministry of Commerce spoke about their experience in relation to trade disputes. A joint inter-country

traders’ panel enabled producers, exporters and traders to exchange experiences about exporting to

Afghanistan, to discuss the problems they encountered and to identify what is needed for more effective

trade between the two countries.

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Day 3 was organized primarily for Afghan participants, who visited a Pakistan Flour Millers Association

(PFMA) mill in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and an oil/ghee factory in Noshera and Peshawar.

The major outcomes from the meeting are captured in the Recommendations and Conclusions section of

this report. A section on next steps logically derived from the meeting recommendations has been prepared

and added by the authors of the report.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

A summary of recommendations by sector is presented below:

Government and regulatory agencies

Vitamin D3 in edible oils should be added at a standard of 3000 IU (international units) per kg;

Federal and provincial-level fortification standards for wheat flour should be harmonized (PSQCA

and Provinces);

The Government of Pakistan should eliminate import the high import tax on premix. (NFA with

financial and technical support from GAIN and other partners);

The Government of Pakistan may also control the price of premix (Follow-up from all partners);

Fortified products for export to Afghanistan should be certified (Private and Public Sector) in

Pakistan, through the Pakistani Food Authorities/PSQCA/PCSIR/accredited labs or certification

bodies. Both countries should follow the same procedures (Both projects). Valid certificates of

analysis should be issued by an accredited lab. A list will be provided by the GOP (PSQCA and PCSIR

should provide the list and share with Afghan regulatory agencies and ANSA);

Correct labeling/food specification should be mandatory: Certification/inspection bodies will be

responsible for issuing mandatory labeling specification (PSQCA should disseminate the mandatory

labeling specifications and share with producers’ associations); and,

Export/Import verification: Governments should implement a robust M&E system (Both projects).

Industry, export and trading sectors

Awareness raising campaigns must be developed for the general populations in Pakistan and

Afghanistan to promote food fortification (Both projects);

Pakistani participants expressed the need to be exempt from import taxes on fortified wheat flour

and oil entering Afghanistan. The Afghan delegation opposed this recommendation, as wheat flour

and edible oil is a significant source of tax revenue for the government. (Needs follow-up);

Donors should support the provision of iron premix for wheat flour for at least a year, during which

PFMA/PVMA would advocate for government support;

A coordination/negotiation committee should be established among traders from Pakistan and

Afghanistan to handle common problems. (Both projects, particularly in KPK and Baluchistan where

most traders operate);

Pakistan’s government should review the level of government support to millers and traders in Iran

and Kazakhstan and replicate it in Pakistan. (PFMA/PVMA to lead);

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QA/QC standards should be applied on both sides to avoid substandard wheat flour and oil trade

(Regulatory agencies on both sides).

General recommendations

Guarantee a one-year business visa to Pakistani businessmen visiting Afghanistan;

Hold a similar cross border trade meeting in Afghanistan. (Date to be announced);

The Afghan delegation’s general recommendation is to see Pakistan producers and exporters ship

only fortified quality wheat flour and edible to Afghanistan.

NEXT STEPS

Meeting recommendations will be translated into actions and incorporated into future work plans.

Immediate next steps derived from the recommendations need to be shared and approved by key

stakeholders from both countries. These are:

Preparing an agreement with PSQCA to revise the standards for fortified edible oils (addition of

vitamin D3 at 3,000 IU/kg) and updating and harmonizing standards for fortified wheat flour based

on the most recent WHO guidelines and in harmony with the CAR standards;

NFA taking the lead and following up on the status of the exemption of premix from import and sales

taxes, updating all stakeholders on the result of negotiations with the Federal Bureau of Revenue;

Creating a follow-up mechanism/group including representatives of GAIN, key stakeholders and

other partners on both sides of the border (Pakistan: NFA, DFID/SNIP, WFP, PFMA, PVMA, etc.

Afghanistan: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, ANSA, Chamber of Commerce

and Industry, AFMA, etc.) tasked to assess the feasibility, and how best to implement, key

recommendations, advocate and push the policy agenda towards:

o Exploring the feasibility and likelihood of premix prices being controlled in both countries;

o Identifying what is required to secure an inspection certificate for exported fortified wheat flour

and edible oils to Afghanistan (Pakistan);

o Following up on Pakistani producers/exporters’ request that duty taxes on fortified wheat flour

and edible oil products be exempt;

o Establishing an official list of accredited labs in Pakistan issuing valid certificates of analysis and

sharing it with Afghanistan regulatory agencies (Pakistan);

o Following up with standards and regulatory agencies in Pakistan to disseminate mandatory

labeling specifications among flour millers and oil producers/ manufacturers, exporters/traders,

and professional associations (PFMA, PVMA, Traders’ Association), and advocating for

compliance and enforcement of labeling specifications by millers (Pakistan);

o Following up with government officials (Pakistan Secretary Health; Deputy Head of Mission of

Afghanistan) on promises made during the meeting to support food fortification, and in

particular making food fortification mandatory in both Pakistan and Afghanistan;

o Initiating the establishment of the inter-country traders’ coordination committee and providing

it with technical, financial and logistic support, beginning in KPK and followed by Baluchistan

(GAIN/Uzma to take the lead with Mohammad Qavi in Baluchistan).

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CONCLUSIONS

By all standards the meeting achieved its objectives and expected results, in terms of the number of

participants; the topics addressed; the level of stakeholder engagement on key issues pertaining to

production, wheat price policies, trade policies and regulations, cost of fortification, standards setting and

harmonization; and who will be responsible for quality assurance and quality control in the mills, regulatory

monitoring, etc.

The meeting reached consensus on certain issues and left others pending for further discussion. A follow-up

mechanism will be put in place to advance discussions between partners on the outstanding issues.

Participants recommended holding a second cross border trade meeting in Afghanistan, the date and

location of which will be announced in due course.

Lastly, the success of the meeting is measured not only by the pertinence of its conclusions and

recommendations, but by the importance and relevance of the follow-up. In the weeks immediately

following the meeting, several agreements were initiated or finalized with key stakeholders:

A grant with Punjab Food Department aiming to improve wheat flour fortification regulations and

monitoring for flour exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan; compliance with importing country (AFG)

regulations; and the regulatory capacity of the Pakistan government and improve fortification

quality monitoring in project assisted geographic areas;

A grant with PFMA to strengthen its capacity to boost and monitor exports of quality checked

fortified wheat flour at the mill level in compliance with Afghanistan regulatory and market

requirements, including management of premix and packaging/labelling revolving fund.

A cooperation program document and a grant with PCSIR to train mill staff and technical

personnel on QA/QC, and on assessing the incidence, level and source of Aflatoxin in Afghanistan

and Pakistan by surveying wheat and wheat flour supply in Pakistan.

A draft grant with PSQCA aiming at revision of standards for wheat flour fortification in

conjunction with the latest evidence-based WHO guidelines and harmonization between provinces,

as well as the inclusion of vitamin D in fortification of edible oil/ghee.

Beginning negotiations with oil manufacturers in KPK and Baluchistan to support selected oil

refineries in fortification of edible oils for export to Afghanistan.

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BACKGROUND

Undernutrition affects most countries in Central and South Asia. In Afghanistan and Pakistan there is a

severe vitamin and mineral deficiency problem. Known deficiencies include those of vitamin A, vitamin D,

iron, and zinc. The 2013 National Nutrition Survey in Afghanistan1 found the prevalence of vitamin A

deficiency among children 6-59 months of age to be 50.4% and among women of reproductive age, 11.3%.

Vitamin D deficiency was also found to be a severe problem with 64.2% of children 6-59 months, deficient

and, 64.7% of women of reproductive age. The same survey found that 13.7% of children 6-59 months of age

and 13.8% of women of reproductive age suffered from iron deficiency anemia and 7.4% of adolescent girls

(10-19 years) had folate deficiency.

In Pakistan, the 2011 National Nutrition Survey (NNS)2 found that most children and women of reproductive

age suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Iron deficiency anemia among non-pregnant women

and children under five were found to be 19% and 43.8% respectively. Vitamin A deficiency is also of concern

with 42.1% of non-pregnant women and 54% of the under-fives with low serum retinol levels. Furthermore,

12.7% of pregnant women were reported to be night blind. This is more than double the prevalence

considered to be a public health problem. Deficiencies were also found in vitamin D, calcium and zinc. Also

of concern in both Afghanistan and Pakistan is the very high levels of stunting among under-fives, both over

40% which is considered to be a ‘severe’ public health problem by WHO. Furthermore, both countries are

raked with “Low Human Development” as per the 2013 Human Development Index rankings, with Pakistan

146 and Afghanistan 169 of 187 countries3.

A proven long-term strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies and improving health outcomes is

food fortification. The primary source of food energy intake in the region is wheat flour, most of which is not

fortified. Fortification of flour and cooking oils can improve dietary intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and various stakeholders in Pakistan have

recognized this.

Under the USAID funded “Regional Fortification in the Central Asian Republics (CAR) and Afghanistan

Project”, a study was conducted on trade flow of analysis of wheat, wheat flour and vegetable oil and ghee

in the region. This study revealed that Afghanistan is a net importer of grain with 600,000 MT imported in

2013 for a total consumption of 5.8m MT. Afghanistan is also a net importer of wheat flour with 1.0 MT

imported in 2013 for a total consumption of 4.4m MT. Kazakhstan is by far the major wheat flour exporter in

the region, along with Pakistan; Afghanistan mainly imports from Pakistan (60%) and Kazakhstan (40%)4.

Furthermore, Pakistan is by far the major edible oil producer in the region; most of the edible oil trade in the

region is between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

1 National Nutrition Survey Afghanistan 2013. Aga Khan University, Ministry of Public Health/Afghanistan, UNICEF Afghanistan 2 Pakistan National Nutrition Survey 2011, Aga Khan University; Pakistan Medical Research Council; Nutrition Wing, Ministry of Health,

Pakistan; Supported by UNICEF Pakistan 3 HDI 2013, accessed 4 September 2015. http://hdrundp.org/en/content/table-1-human-development-index-and-its-components

4 Altai Consulting. Afghanistan/Central Asia Food Fortification Program. Trade Flow Analysis (Wheat Grain, Wheat Flour and Edible Oils). Draft, Sept 2015

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OBJECTIVES

The aim of the meeting was to facilitate and accelerate exports of adequately fortified foods (wheat flour

and edible oil/ghee) from Pakistan to Afghanistan through dialogue, negotiations and knowledge sharing

among producers, exporters, traders, government and other regulatory bodies that regulate production,

import and export of wheat and edible oils in both countries.

Specific objectives:

1. Facilitate engagement, dialogue and negotiations among key stakeholders involved in production,

regulations, marketing and trade of wheat flour and edible oil/ghee between the two countries in

order to stimulate exports of fortified wheat flour and edible oil/ghee to Afghanistan.

2. Stimulate the sharing of knowledge between the two countries about their specific regulations,

trade procedures, requirements, and market preferences among key trade partners.

3. Identify and agree on practical measures for quality assurance/quality control of exported foods, and

on specifications for packaging, labeling and logo design that will meet Afghan market demand and

consumer preferences.

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PARTICIPANTS

The meeting was attended by representatives of:

I. The Government of Pakistan

Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination

Ministry of Science and Technology: Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA)

and Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR)

Provincial Health Service Departments

Provincial Food Departments

Ministry of Commerce and Industries

II. The Government of Afghanistan

Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI)

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MAIL)

Afghanistan National Standards Authority (ANSA), Office of the President

II. The private sector

Pakistan

Pakistan Flour Millers Association (PFMA): National and Provincial chairmen, Technical

Fortification Committee members, millers, Flour millers,

Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA): Secretary General and oil

manufacturers

Premix suppliers/distributors

Traders companies and individual exporters / traders

Consultants

Afghanistan

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

Afghanistan Flour Millers Association (AFMA)

Afghanistan Bakers Association

Traders Association and individual traders

III. Development partners

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

DFID

MI

GAIN

Others (UNICEF, FAO, WHO, WB) were invited, but did not attend

IV. Donors

USAID (was excused because of security reason)

The workshop agenda is provided is Annex 1. A full list of participants is in Annex 2.

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DAY 1 - OPENING SPEECHES

Sofiya Khan, GAIN Interim Country Director,

Pakistan

After recitation of the Holy Quran, Interim

Country Director Sofiya Khan opened the

workshop and welcomed participants, especially:

– Mr. Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Federal

Secretary Health

– Honorable S.A. Nasir Yousofi, Deputy Head of

Mission, Afghanistan

– Mr. Muhammed Aslam Shaheen, Chief

Nutrition Section, Planning Commission

– Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Director Nutrition, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and

Coordination

Mrs. Khan thanked the delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan for their participation. After describing

the serious nutritional situation in both countries and in particular the micronutrient deficiencies affecting

primarily children and women as revealed by population based surveys in 2011 in Pakistan and in 2013 in

Afghanistan, Mrs. Khan thanked USAID for providing this platform to initiate dialogue between key

stakeholders from both countries and wished the participants productive deliberations.

Dr. Mohibullah Wahdati, Country Director, GAIN Afghanistan

Dr. Wahdati emphasized Afghanistan’s reliance

on food imports from Pakistan for cultural,

ethnic, religious and historic reasons, including

fortified wheat flour and edible oils imported

from Pakistan.

He hoped the meeting would lead to actions to

ensure that all foods exported from Pakistan to

Afghanistan would be fortified. He called for

solutions that could be both commercially viable

in Pakistan and have a public health impact for

the Afghan population. “In the name of the

closeness of our culture, faith and long historic

relationships, we came here to plead to the Pakistan Flour Mills Association and the Pakistan Vanaspati

Manufacturers Association to fortify their products exported to Afghanistan, and to contribute to help

improve the health of the Afghan population”, Dr. Wahdati concluded.

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Muhammad Aslam Shaheen, Chief Nutrition Section, Planning Commission, Pakistan

Mr. Shaheen highlighted the role of the “Scaling

up Nutrition” (SUN) Movement created in 2010

in bringing people from governments, civil

society, the United Nations, donors, businesses

and researchers together in a collective effort to

improve nutrition. Pakistan joined the movement

in 2013 as the 34th out of 57 SUN country

members. Pakistan has also adopted the

sustainable development goals (SDG) in 2015, and

is committed to achieving them, in particular Goal

2 to “end hunger, achieve food security, and

improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture”.

Mr. Shaheen urged participants to utilize this forum effectively and continue using these newfound linkages

between the two countries to tackle malnutrition together. He concluded that “assuring the quality of food

products, especially their safety and nutrition levels, is an increasing focus of the government, companies,

and global international trade. A better understanding can help to address key questions related to food

fortification of wheat flour and oil”.

Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Director Nutrition,

Ministry of National Health Services,

Regulations and Coordination and Secretary

National Fortification Alliance, Pakistan

Dr. Baseer presented GAIN's mission and the

global significance of eradicating micronutrient

deficiencies, emphasizing the importance of

fortification as a cost effective method to

eradicate micronutrient deficiencies or “Hidden

Hunger”.

Mr. S.A. Nasir Yousofi, Deputy Head of Mission, Afghanistan Embassy

Mr. Yousofi stressed that iron deficiency in the region

is still a problem, and the workshop can help find new

approaches to address it. He urged the Government

of Pakistan to encourage and stimulate trade

between the two countries, indicating that closing the

borders to trade, as had happened recently, does not

work in the interest of both countries. In order to

encourage economic cooperation, he announced that

Afghan Consulates in Pakistan will grant a one-year

visa to all Pakistan businessmen who apply for a

business visa.

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Mr. Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and

Coordination, Pakistan

Mr. Sheikh highlighted the importance of food

fortification and his belief that we must

reemphasize that under-nutrition affects most

of the countries in central and South Asia. In

Pakistan and Afghanistan, the severity of

micronutrient deficiencies portrayed in NNS

2011 were sobering. If not addressed in a timely

manner, under-nutrition would affect the future

development of both countries.

He added that malnutrition is directly related to

development. By targeting malnutrition today,

we are investing in our future. He acknowledged that food fortification is a proven long-term intervention

for addressing malnutrition, and that fortification of wheat flour, oil and ghee, as primary sources of food in

the region, can increase dietary intake of essential micronutrients. Food fortification in Pakistan will not only

be beneficial to Pakistan itself but to Afghanistan equally. He acknowledged the importance of NFA as a key

platform for bringing stakeholders together to address malnutrition. He assured the Government of

Pakistan’s support, whether through policy formation, harmonization of standards or any other legislation

necessary for mandatory fortification.

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DAY 1 - PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION

Session 1: Status of Fortification of Wheat Flour and Edible Oils in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Session 1 was chaired by Mr. Naeem Butt, Chairman of Pakistan Flour Mills Association, with PFMA province

chairman as co-chairs: Iftikhar Ahmad Mutto, PFMA Chairman, Punjab; Sharif Agha, PFMA Chairman

Baluchistan, Malik Iftikhar Ahmad Awan, PFMA Chairman KPK. In this session, officials from the provinces

gave their perspective on food fortification in Pakistan and trade with Afghanistan.

Session 1, Presentation 1: Update on Edible Oil/Ghee Fortification in Pakistan

Mr. Umer Islam Khan, Secretary General, Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturer Association (PVMA).

Mr. Islam explained that PVMA is an organization registered

with Directorate General Trade Organization, Ministry of

Commerce, Government of Pakistan. Its 118 members

manufacture vegetable ghee/cooking oil and allied

products in all four provinces and the federal capital - 50 in

Punjab, 41 in Sindh, 2 in Baluchistan and 25 in KPK. Annual

turnover of the oil and ghee sector is of 600 billion Pakistan

rupees (Rs) per annum and total duties, taxes and other

levies paid to government is about 120 billion.

Per capita consumption of edible oil and ghee in Pakistan is

17 Kg and total consumption is 3.8 million, with local production of 0.6 -0.7 million tons. To fulfill the need

for edible oil, 17% and 83% of palm oil has been imported from Indonesia and Malaysia respectively in 2015.

On import, 16% CED, 5.5% income tax and 1000 Rs /MT FED has been applied. There has been substantial

increase in imports of edible oils every year i.e. 5.74% in 2014 compared to 2013 and 10.45 in 2015

compared to 2014. Production at oil and ghee mills adheres to PSQCA standards in which 33000 IU / Kg ±

10% of Vitamin A is mandatory.

Mr. Islam outlined the challenges facing the industry:

• Higher duty/taxes and other levies increase end-product price, lowering per capita consumption.

• In April 2015, the Government of Punjab capped the retail price of licensed, branded and fortified

ghee/cooking oil, making it lower in most cases than the cost of production. Sales of non-fortified

ghee have increased to fill the vacuum created by the lack of licensed, legitimate products.

• Due to economic hardship, families prefer to buy ghee/cooking oil in loose packing (non-branded,

non-refined and unfortified), widely available with a price differential of at least 20%.

• Pakistan exports significant amounts of edible oil and has no control on price fluctuation in

international market. Traders monitor edible oil trading prices, buying and keeping unprocessed

loose oil in stock in unhygienic conditions. As a result, the free fatty acid (FFA) level rises and the oil

loses all intrinsic Vitamin A and other nutrients.

• Sales of fortified, processed and packed products is stagnant, while sales of loose oil are increasing.

• Legislation regarding fortification exists, but its implementation needs to be strengthened.

• The prevailing tariff structure, trade and commerce policies, and national market forces are in favor

of selling loose oil and discourage fortified packed products.

• Duty structure on import of vitamins is very high, reportedly up to 55%.

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On behalf of PVMA, Mr. Islam made the following recommendations:

• Reducing duty/taxes/levies on ghee and cooking oil from the current high range of 32-37%.

• Making the sale of loose ghee and cooking oil illegal, with strict enforcement by authorities such as

the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority and Provincial Food Authorities.

• Improving the capacity of PSQCA and Provincial Food Authorities to reach remote areas where there

are problems in implementing ‘Pakistan Standards’ PS 221 and PS 2858 for Ghee and Cooking Oil by

allocating extra funds and additional qualified manpower.

• Working with NGOs to ensure consumers are educated and educate others about their right to

access to nutritious staple food items, both those who cannot afford a nutritious diet, and those who

don’t understand the benefits of food fortification.

Session 1, Presentation 2: Update on Flour Fortification in Pakistan

Mr. Asim Raza, Chairman PFMA Technical Fortification Committee, Pakistan

Mr. Raza spoke about the current fortification situation in

Pakistan and the efforts of flour mills in producing fortified

wheat flour and the challenges faced by the millers,

especially those exporting wheat flour.

Following discussions with GAIN, PFMA began fortification

at 30 flour mills last year in Punjab. There are now more

than 250 micro-feeders at the mills, but the issue of

premix supply must be resolved so that fortification can

move ahead. Flour millers and PFMA are fully aware of the

importance and benefits of food fortification and are committed to playing their part.

Session 1, Presentation 3: Current status of export of wheat flour to Afghanistan and future perspectives

Mr. Anjum Sardar, Deputy Secretary Technical, Punjab Food Department, Pakistan

Mr. Sardar outlined the work of the Punjab

Food Department’s quality control

laboratories and technical teams and

highlighted progress in the export of wheat

and wheat flour, including the issuance of a

wheat/wheat flour export notification;

discussions with GAIN on monitoring the

quality of wheat flour exported to

Afghanistan; equipping food laboratories with

necessary monitoring equipment; and the

constitution of a provincial fortification

alliance.

On the way forward, he suggested creating market demand for fortified flour in Afghanistan through an

advocacy campaign; elimination of duties on premix; the introduction of a standard for fortification, labeling

and packaging by the Afghan authorities, and production and supply of fortified flour to meet the demand.

He also stressed the need for quality assurance by manufacturers and government regulatory bodies

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Mr. Mehrab Khan, Additional Secretary, Food

Department, Government of Baluchistan, Pakistan

Mr. Khan said Baluchistan Food were already facilitating

their mills and would also extend facilitation to mill

owners to promote the export of wheat flour and edible

oil to Afghanistan. Their laboratories could certify the

quality of their products. He appreciated the

interventions taken by GAIN and assured the audience of

his support wherever required.

Mr. Abdullah Khan, Additional Secretary, Health Development, Government of Baluchistan, Pakistan

Mr. Khan stated that after the 18th amendment,

the Government of Baluchistan has taken

responsibility of the entire preventive program

including issues of malnutrition, and malnutrition as

a priority. Malnutrition contributes to

Baluchistan’s high rates of infant and maternal

mortality, and the government is working to

address this, with a dedicated nutrition program at

provincial level.

Mr. Khan stressed the importance of fortifying

staple foods in eradicating micronutrient

deficiencies in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Fortifying staple food in Pakistan will support Afghanistan because

Pakistan is one of the major exporters of wheat and edible oil to Afghanistan. He said that we have to find

the opportunities to fight micronutrient deficiencies and expand cross-border trade through meetings such

as this.

Mr. Muhammad Anwar Khan, Director Food Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Mr. Khan said that flour mills association from KPK is

well aware of the problem of malnutrition and their

responsibility in this regard. He aacknowledged the

current price related problems of the flour industry and

suggested that a farmer awareness campaign should

also be launched to balance the prices. He explained

the dual role of Food Department in procurement of

wheat and price as well as quality control of wheat and

flour in KPK. He committed to extending support for

flour millers by resolving their issues through regular

meetings. He asked the Afghan delegation to promote

Pakistani flour in their country as it is superior in quality and will also be fortified which is their requirement.

18

Dr. Jaffer Saleem, Director Health Services, Department of Health, Punjab, Pakistan

Dr. Saleem asserted that food fortification is the most

convenient and cost effective method to deliver

micronutrients to deprived communities. In Pakistan, there

are high rates of anemia reported in women and children

and the remedy is iron fortification. He requested the

business community to realize their corporate responsibility

and take a step forward towards food fortification and

assured the cooperation of the Health Services Department

wherever required.

Dr. Sakhawat Ali, Director General, PCSIR- Pakistan

Dr. Ali stressed the importance of the meeting for

industrial growth in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He

described the role and strengths of PCSIR and its

achievements during past few years with special

reference to the food fortification industry. He

mentioned the strengths of his laboratories and

facilities and their ability to provide support services to

the industries.

Session 1, Presentation 4: Update on Wheat Flour and Edible Oil/Ghee Fortification in Afghanistan, Food

fortification policy in Afghanistan and status of the legislation

Dr. Homayoun Ludin, Director, Public Nutrition Department (PND), Afghanistan

Dr. Ludin reviewed improvements in the health of the Afghan

population between 2004 and 2013. Stunting dropped from

60.5% to 40.9%, iron deficiency in women 48% to 24% and

iodine deficiency in women 75% to 41%. Anemia among

women of reproductive age is 40.4% of which IDA is 24%. Other

micronutrient deficiencies in women of reproductive age

include vitamin A 11.3%, vitamin D 94.8%, Zinc 23.4% and

iodine 40.7%. Among children from 6 to 59 months of age, total

anemia is 44.9% out of which IDA is 26.1%. Other micronutrient

deficiencies include vitamin A 50.4%, vitamin D 81.0%, Zinc

15.1% and Iodine 29.5%.

The National Nutrition Policies and Strategies of Afghanistan have prioritized fortification of wheat flour with

iron; edible oil and ghee with vitamin A & D; and edible salt with Iodine. Since USI become mandatory,

donation of potassium iodate supply has been shifted to a revolving fund managed by the Iodized Salt

Factories Association. 68,000 MT of iodized was been produced in 2013. Fortification of edible Oil and Ghee

with Vitamin A and D started a few months back. There are three local manufactures and all have micro-

feeders installed. The process of drafting legislation for fortifying edible oil with vitamin A and D is under

way. During 2015, Pakistan ranked as the second biggest oil exporter to Afghanistan after Malaysia.

Wheat flour fortification, which began in Afghanistan in 2006, covers just 5% of overall need. Afghanistan

requires fortification with Iron, Folic Acid, Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin B12. The MOPH/PND has established

19

standards for QA/QC of millings. Legislation of wheat flour fortification is also in process. The production

trend of wheat fortification is quite significant and communication campaigns will be launched. Challenges

and constraints include low quality and quantity of locally produced wheat flour; lack of attention on

imported wheat instead of flour (which are not fortified); and lack of awareness and commitment among

traders to import fortified instead of non-fortified flour from neighboring countries.

He explained that regulation of wheat flour and edible oil fortified with minerals and vitamins has been set

in accordance with the provisions of Article 33 of Public Health Act and Article 11 of the Constitution in order

to fortified staple foods (wheat flour & edible oil) in the country, with the objectives of:

• Implementation of mandatory national standards of fortified foods with minerals and vitamins

which are approved and finalized by the Afghan National Standard Authority;

• Supporting, strengthening and monitoring the activities of the manufacturers and importers of

fortified wheat flour and edible oil in accordance with the provisions of this regulation and other

applicable laws of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan;

• The importer shall gain the fortified wheat flour import permit and license from the Ministry of

Commerce and Industry. No importer will have the right to import non-fortified wheat flour six

month after enactment of this regulation;

• Imported fortified wheat flour must be fortified with vitamins and minerals according to or

matching with national standards;

• The amount and specifications of the vitamins and minerals must be in compliance with the rules

and norms set by the ANSA or matching the standards (complete the national standard

requirements);

• Any Sack(Package) of fortified wheat flour must include the label indicating type and the amount of

micronutrients, manufacturing company, name of original country, and any other necessary trade

specifications, it would be desirable if the text “according to Afghanistan national standard “was

written on the package in the local language;

• All imported fortified wheat flour should be quality controlled at the borders, and only those who

have certificates from MoPH related quality control labs that certifying that the amount of vitamins

and minerals in imported flour is accordance with to or matching with national standards will be

allowed to enter (complete the national standard requirements).

He recommended:

• Supporting in-country production of fortified wheat flour and edible oil;

• Regional coordination to help support the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan in finalizing

their policy on importation of wheat instead of flour;

• Strengthening coordination & collaboration among governments to import fortified food (iodized

salt, fortified wheat flour & edible oil);

• Increasing awareness among traders and the public on the importance of food fortification.

He indicated that Kazakhstan was in favor of reviewing the existing flour fortification standards and updating

the formula as necessary. The fact that 400 million Tenge ($2.5M) were budgeted by the MOH to support

fortification during the past two years but never used was unacceptable. The President of the Kazakh

Academy of Nutrition indicated that he was going to bring this issue up with the Minister of Health and with

the President of Kazakhstan.

20

Session 1, Presentation 5: Update on the Pakistan Regional Fortification Project,

Ms. Dora Panagides, GAIN Senior Manager of Large Scale Food Fortification, GAIN HQ

Ms. Panagides presented the findings of Afghanistan 2013

Nutrition Survey, focusing on micronutrient deficiencies.

Looking at the 2011 national nutrition survey in Pakistan, she

concluded that both countries have similar nutrition

epidemiologic profiles where micronutrient deficiencies reach

prevalence levels of public health significance according to

WHO classification. The similarity between the two countries is

also found in the food consumption patterns, where wheat

flour and edible oils compose the bulk of the dietary intake in

terms of energy, and other macro nutrients.

Analyzing the food trade data between the two countries, Dora concluded that Pakistan is an important

exporter of wheat flour edible oils to Afghanistan. Given their physical characteristics and level of

consumption, “these two products are ideal vehicles for food fortification with the essential vitamins and

minerals that are deficient in the diets of both countries”, said Dora. These considerations were the basic

foundation for the design, planning and implementation of the regional food fortification projects in both

countries. She highlighted the objectives and strategic approach of the project in Pakistan, and emphasized

the need for coordination with the DFID SNIP project at the policy, operational and implementation levels.

Session 1, Presentation 6: Update: Afghanistan Regional Fortification Project,

Dr. Mohibullah Wahdati, Country Director, GAIN Afghanistan

Dr. Wahdati informed the audience that the flour fortification has been mandatory since October 2015and

stressed that these initiatives would have a major effect on improving health and trade in the region. He

described the prerequisites for fortified food export. He explained that the cost of fortification is limited as

1% of 10Kg oil and 2% of 50Kg wheat flour bag which can be easily digested by the importers. Producers

should take the lead on fortification.

Production challenges included lack of correct records at production point; the fact that quality certification

of the product is not usually presented, and products are not properly labeled. For export, difficulties

included lack of correct records at the border; the fact that a quality validation certificate is not issued for

the exported product; and quality control mechanisms for foods entering Afghanistan are not yet well

developed. He proposed next steps to strengthen exporter and importer engagement:

Establish proper record keeping system at point of production;

Improve awareness of exporters and importers on how best to export and import fortified quality,

safe foods, ensuring their share in the Afghan market;

Food regulation authorities in both countries must follow the WTO guidelines on food trade;

Increase engagement for legalization of trade between the two countries;

Enact mandatory fortification standards for industrially produced edible oils and wheat flour (locally

produced and imported);

Harmonization of regulations and enforcement mechanism with regional countries;

Finalize and approve food law that includes regulatory monitoring framework for checking adequacy

of fortification and compliance, including a system for enforcement of mandatory legislation;

21

Create an enabling environment for local production;

Ensure effective supply of fortification premix;

Establish a system for tracking the quality, coverage and impact of population-based nutrition

interventions, such as food fortification.

Discussion

An interactive and fruitful discussion permitted participants to debate the regulatory requirements for the

export of fortified wheat and edible oil.

22

DAY 1 - BREAKOUT SESSION

Industry – Traders Meeting

Moderator: Naeem Butt, PFMA,

Co-moderator: Iftikhar Ahmad Mutto, PFMA Chairman Punjab

Government/Regulatory Agencies Meeting

Moderator: Dr. Shazad Afzal, PSQCA Deputy Director General

Co-moderator: Dr. Zakir Nasssimi, Head of Health and Food Safety Department, MOPH

In separate rooms, two groups were formed: one composed of representatives from the private sector from

both countries, moderated by Pakistan PFMA Chairman, Naeem Butt, and co-moderated by Punjab PFMA

chairman, Iftikhar Ahmad Motto. The second group assembled representatives from government agencies,

moderated by Dr. Shahzad Afzal, Deputy Director General of PSQCA of Pakistan, and co-moderated by Dr.

Zakir Nassimi, Head of Health and Food Safety Department, MOPH, Afghanistan.

23

Key recommendations of Working Groups

A summary of recommendations by working group/sector is presented below:

Industry/traders

Rapporteur: Asim Raza, Chairman PFMA Technical Fortification Committee- Pakistan

Millers and traders would like to:

Conduct a costing study;

Hold a regional meeting for fortification;

Ensure explicit inclusion of fortification;

Provide training to technical specialists

Strengthen technical and laboratory;

Develop and implement administrative resources;

Provide government subsidies to flour miller.s

Government/Regulatory Agencies

Rapporteur: Anjum Sardar, Deputy Secretary Technical, Punjab Food Department - Pakistan

Government agencies and regulators made the following recommendations:

Standards for vitamin D3 in edible oils: PSQCA should add it at 3000 IU/kg;

Differing fortification standards in federal and provincial levels should be harmonized (PSQCA and

Provinces);

Import tax for premix is very high and should be eliminated;

Government of Pakistan may also control the price of premix;

Product certification: Fortified products destined for Afghanistan should have a certificate from

Inspections (Private and Public Sector) in Pakistan. This is the responsibility of Food Authorities/

PSQCA/PCSIR /accredited labs or certification bodies. Both countries should follow the same procedure;

Valid certificates should be issued by accredited labs. A list will be provided by the GOP;

Proper labeling / food specification should be mandatory: Certification / inspection bodies will be

responsible for issuing mandatory labeling;

Exporter / Importer verification system: a strong M&E system should be implemented by both

governments.

Discussion

During the second session participants were quite interested in the methodology and way forward to

introduce fortified wheat and edible oil to the market. The discussion was facilitated by Mr. Mohamed

Mansour who designed the technical portion of the meeting.

The harmonization of the standards among Pakistan and Afghanistan was discussed among the Afghan

delegation and PSQCA. They have also exchanged their standards.

24

DAY 2 - PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION The morning session of day 2 was ably chaired by two general directors from Pakistan, PSQCA and PCSIR,

and co-chaired by the General Manager of Nutrition, Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and

Livestock (MAIL).

Standards and Regulations for Fortified Foods in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Chair: Dr. Shahzad Alam, Chairman, PCSIR

Chair: Muhammad Khalid Siddiq, Director General PSQCA

Co-chair: Mohammad Halim Ibrahimi, General Manager of Nutrition, Afghanistan Ministry of

Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)

This session included four presentations and an address

from the Chair to update the audience on the

contribution and progress of PCSIR on food fortification

in Pakistan. This was followed by a lively discussion.

Morning session: The status of standardization and regulatory systems for wheat flour and edible oil/ghee

in Pakistan

Dr. Shahzad Afzal, Deputy Director General PSQCA, Pakistan

Dr. Afzal described PSQCA’s role and strengths

and the standards for food and agriculture.

National Standards Committees were explained,

as were the procedures used to establish the

standards.

Pakistan’s standards for edible oil and ghee food

fortification include mandatory addition of

vitamin A 30,000 in oil and Ghee, while vitamin

D is in being discussed. Standards for wheat

flour fortification recommend NaFeEDTA at

10ppm. He described the need to improve the

milling techniques to address the loss of 40% of wheat’s vitamins during the milling process.

Future action proposed regarding food fortification standards in Pakistan include:

Updating Pakistani standards so that the addition of Vitamin D value in edible oils is mandatory;

Monitoring/market surveillance of Oil (Vitamin A&D) and Wheat Flour (for iron) in collaboration with

GAIN and provincial health regulators;

Facilitating adoption of Pakistan standards

Increasing industry and consumer awareness through effective media campaigns.

25

Food Fortification standards and certification process in Afghanistan

Dr. Homayoun Ludin (Director, Public Nutrition Department, Afghanistan) replacing Wakil Rahim, Head of

Codification of Food Items & Agriculture Products, Afghanistan National Standard Authority (ANSA

Dr. Ludin shared the current status of the standards

established by the ANSA for wheat and edible oil

fortification and described the standards of Iron’s

intrinsic & extrinsic values in wheat. He described

NaFeEDTA as a cost effective methodology. He called

for more stakeholder involvement at country level

create an enabling environment for production, import

and export of flour, including legislation and tax

exemptions. He recommended establishing country

working groups, identifying country stakeholders, and

establishment of a revolving fund for premixes.

Mutual recognition agreements on internal regulatory monitoring

Dr. Mohammad Zakir Nassimi, Food Safety Director, Ministry of Public Health

After describing the principles guiding the addition of

specific nutrients to foods (evidence-based need,

official and/or mandatory decision, specific

characteristics of the food vehicle and its consumption

patterns, cost-effectiveness), Dr. Nassimi defined a

number of concepts and measures used for the

protection of public health, consumers and fair trade

such as level of protection or “acceptable level of risk”,

audit, certification, legislation, inspection,

accreditation, risk assessment and risk analysis.

Mutually agreed requirements for trade between two countries or parties may consist of standards,

provision for sampling, process controls, conditions of production, transport, storage, or a combination of

these. He summarized the characteristics as:

Consistency of requirements of imported and domestic foods;

Clear definition of responsibilities of competent authorities;

Clear definition of legislation and operating procedures;

Giving precedence to the protection of consumers;

Clear definition of the food control systems applied in the exporting country;

Clear framework for import and export inspection and certification;

Recognition of equivalence of inspection and/or certification and facilitation by government of fair

trade taking into consideration appropriate level of consumer protection.

In the design and operation of food import control systems, Dr. Zakir indicated that precedence should be

given to protecting the health of consumers and not to economic or other trade considerations. Control of

imported food by the importing country can be conducted at one or more points, including point of origin as

agreed upon with the exporting country, for example at processing, transport and distribution, storage; and

sale, (retail or wholesale). The importing country can recognize controls implemented by the exporting

country. Pre-shipment clearance is a possible mechanism for ensuring compliance with requirements.

26

Update from the national expert group on harmonization of fortification Standards in the Region

Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Director Nutrition, Ministry of Health Services, and Secretary National

Fortification Alliance, Pakistan

Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai said that Pakistan and Afghanistan

are very close neighbors and we must realize the Torkham is

not the only trade route between the two countries. We

have several routes along the Chaman, Zhob and Killa

Saifullah in the Province of Baluchistan as well.

He recalled a meeting in Almaty with Dr. Humayun Ludin

and other important officials from Pakistan, Kazakhstan and

Afghanistan where there was assent that CAR region

countries look towards Pakistan as a major trade

contributor. Pakistan has a responsibility to provide an enabling environment to the industry for fortification.

Plans were also being made to fortify rice, pulses and other food commodities. The Government of Pakistan

is committed to food fortification, and to move forward, we need to work together to create an ideal and

uniform environment for food fortification.

Address of the Chair: Role and progress of PCSIR on food fortification

Dr. Shahzad Alam, Chairman, Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pakistan

Dr. Alam said that PCSIR has 16 laboratory

complexes in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta

and other cities. Testing procedures are

important in enhancing trade with Afghanistan,

and laboratories in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta

could be engaged in quality control and quality

assurance test of food. PCSIR could even

establish labs on Pakistan-Afghan borders and

even in Afghanistan. He rendered full

commitment for the food fortification project

and re-asserted that we need to strengthen our

trade with Afghanistan. He announced that PCSIR were about to complete the assignment of producing the

premix as well as micro-feeders locally which will substantially reduce the cost of fortification. He committed

that by the next meeting, PCSIR will be able to share the prices of local premix and micro-feeders.

27

The mid- morning session of day 2 was chaired by Mr. Habibullah Assad from Afghanistan Ministry of

Commerce and Industry and Madam Roubina Taufiq Shah Director General Trade Dispute Resolution

Organization, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, and co-chaired by Mr. Naeem Butt, Chairman,

Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), and Mr. Asim Raza, PFMA, Chairman, Flour Fortification Committee

Session 4 – Trades of Wheat Flour and Edible Oil/Ghee between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Practices, rules

and regulations

Chair: Habibullah Assad, Afghanistan Focal point for WTO, and Trade Policy Advisor

at Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Chair: Madam Roubina Taufiq Shah Director General Trade Dispute Resolution

Organization, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan

Co-chairs: Naeem Butt, Chairman, Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) and Asim

Raza, PFMA, Chairman, Flour Fortification Committee

Trade policies, procedures and formalities for exporting

wheat flour and edible oil/ghee to Afghanistan

Mr. Mohammad Sulaiman, Consultant on Customs and

International Trade, Sulaiman Associates - Pakistan

Mr. Mohammad Sulaiman presented data on exports of

wheat flour and edible oils to Afghanistan in tonnage and

dollar value derived from Altai Consulting and Synergy

Advisory & Solutions Analysis, and from Trade Map. 28 flour

mills accounted for 77% of total exports to Afghanistan (0.6

million MT), the remaining 23% was produced in small

quantities by many other mills. Most exporting flour mills are located in Punjab and KPK provinces.

Subsequently, Mr. Sulaiman explained the basic requirements for the export of food materials to other

countries, including Afghanistan. Exporting companies should be registered with sales tax and income tax;

should have a national Tax Number (NTN); and should be registered with the Chamber of Commerce.

Documents required for exports from Pakistan at export sites include:

Goods Declaration Form – GD I

Commercial Invoice

Certificate of Origin

Packing List

Form E

Export General Manifest (EGM)

Escort Letter

Weight Slip

Bilty

As wheat flour fortification is not mandatory in Afghanistan or Pakistan, he said there is no control over wheat

flour fortification by Afghan/Pakistan customs.

With regard to oil and ghee, Mr. Sulaiman indicated that 12 oil factories account for 81% of total exports to

Afghanistan (154,000 MT, 90% of it in the form of vegetable ghee) based on 2014 customs data. Although

export quotas exist and limit edible oil exports to Afghanistan to 4,000 MT maximum per refinery on a yearly

basis, they are in practice not implemented and it seems that refineries export way above these quotas,

28

notably because a significant share of edible oil production is unregistered and part of it is exported to

Afghanistan. Mr. Sulaiman made the following recommendations to traders and exporters:

Web Based One Customs (Weboc) systems should be made operational on both border custom

Stations Torkham and Chaman for export and import;

Bilateral trade statistics of both customs should be checked and updated to get correct figures in

dollars;

Testing facilities for premixes should be developed in both customs stations at Torkham and

Chaman, preferably in Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.

Trade policies, procedures and regulations for import of wheat flour and Edible oil/ghee in Afghanistan

Dr. Massoud, Adviser for ACCI, Afghanistan Chamber of

Commerce and Industries (ACCI) - Afghanistan

Dr. Massoud presented an analysis of the trade between

the two countries with the top problem being smuggling or

“unofficial trade” which is equivalent in dollar value to the

official trade, causing losses of billion dollars to

government budgets. He attributed evasion of duty taxes

to direct government domestic economic and trade

policies. While decreasing custom tariffs from Afghanistan

had encouraged smuggling of consumer goods from

Afghanistan to Pakistan for decades, Pakistan reversed its policy during the last decade encouraging

smuggling and duty tax evasion. The advisor of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce identified major areas of

smuggling between the two countries - food products, including wheat flour and edible oil, pharmaceutical

materials, and lubricants. Smuggling of the first three products bear potential health hazards and financial

threats because they are not subject to any health, sanitary and quality inspection.

Revision of Food Fortification Standards in

Pakistan

Dr. Khawaja Masood, National coordinator,

National Fortification Alliance, Pakistan

Dr. Masood updated the participants about the

regional harmonization of standards meeting held

in Kazakhstan. Following that meeting, processes

have been initiated in Pakistan concerning the

revision of fortification standards based upon

WHO guidelines and requirements in the region

keeping in mind the level of micronutrient

deficiencies in Pakistan. As Dr. Lodi had mentioned, earlier, we do not have the necessary fortification for

Vitamin D and will be working with PSQCA and PCSIR for this soon. Thirdly, we have also initiated

formulation of National Fortification Strategy for Pakistan in consultation with the partners as well as the

provinces and very soon we will be incorporating all the suggestion.

29

Trade Dispute Resolution Organization

Mrs. Roubina Taufiq Shah Director General Trade Dispute Resolution Organization, Ministry of Commerce,

Government of Pakistan

Mrs. Shah, Director General of the Trade Dispute Resolution Organization explained that TDRO has

administrative & adjudicating powers to take swift actions for resolution of international trade disputes.

Among its objectives, TDRO aims to

Bridge the trust deficit between local and foreign businessmen;

Act as bridge between bodies responsible for standards and quality;

• Improve quality standards;

• Ensure foreign importers are not cheated by Pakistani exporters;

• Prepare database of exporters with confirmed cases of disputes;

• Provide assistance to Pakistani exporters defrauded in international trade;

• Educate and train exporters / importers to avoid disputes.

Traders Panel: The Voice of Traders from Pakistan and Afghanistan

Moderator: Mr. Daroo Khan, President Pak Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce

Panel Members: Haji Agha, Afghanistan Trader/Importer Chair of south side of the country

Dawood Khan, Jamel’s Traders, Peshawar

Muhammad Taraq, Haq Bahoo Flour Mills, Peshawar

Rasool Khan, s/o Qacim from Kadir Mandi, Jalalabad

Khair Mohamed Rahmuden, trader, flour importer and Chair,Traders’ Committee

Abdul Bari, Trader Baluchistan

Ahmadi Mohammad Asif, Chairman Afghanistan Flour Traders Association (AFTA)

Discussion

At the end of the working group sessions, presenters from each working group shared their conclusions and

proposed next steps.

Panel Remarks, Mr. Naeem Butt, Chairman, All

Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), Pakistan

Mr. Butt said that Pakistani and Afghan traders have

decided to work together and move further with

fortification. They have formed a committee to identify

solutions for problems faced by traders on both sides in

order to better focus on fortification. If the committee

faces any problems, then the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber

of Commerce will be involved in identifying a solution.

Coordination and cooperation between traders and

industry is vital for this project. The government of Pakistan has announced 120 US Dollars rebate on the

export of wheat flour to Afghanistan and through this step, Pakistan will again capture the Afghan market.

They agree that any flour exported to the Afghanistan will be fortified and the formula of premix and

amount of micronutrients in the flour will be printed upon the bags along with the label.

30

He announced the names of the members of committee which are as follows:

From Pakistan

Asim Raza – Chairman

Naeem Butt – Vice Chairman

Badruddin Khan [Baluchistan]

Iftikhar Mutto [Punjab]

Mian Riaz

From Afghanistan

Alhaj Khair Muhammad Rehmuddin – Chairman

Engineer Ahmadi Muhammad Asif – Vide Chairman

Daud Musa

Dr. Masud

Mr. Butt thanked USAID and GAIN for arranging this conference where so much useful information was

shared and important decisions made. He requested GAIN organize a similar meeting in to further

strengthen the fortification procedure and build confidence and coordination between the two countries.

Panel Remarks, Mr. Haji Khair Muhammad Rehmuddin, Afghanistan

Mr. Rehmuddin stressed the important of a joint visit of Afghani

traders to Pakistani flour mills to view the standard of wheat

and its fortification. He also requested GAIN Pakistan and GAIN

Afghanistan start behavior change campaigns in both countries

to make people aware of the benefits of fortified wheat flour.

He advised traders and government officials from both

countries to work together and recommended formation of

quality control labs on the trading borders for harmonization of

standards. He advised Pakistani millers and traders to pay

attention to competition that Kazakhstan has created in Afghanistan. He requested GAIN to work closely

with the committee that has been formed and provide support for them wherever required.

31

CERTIFICATION DISTRIBUTION AND GROUP PHOTO

32

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

Dr. Mohamed Mansour, Nutrition Consultant – Acting Food

Fortification Manager, Pakistan Regional Food Fortification

Project technically designed the meeting, met with all Pakistani

participants prior to the meeting and discussed their roles and

contributions and provided technical guidance and leadership to the GAIN

Pakistan organizing team.

Organizers from GAIN

The Pakistan organizing team consists of Sofiya Khan, Administration Manager, Program Associates Fuad Hamid,

Mohammed Qavi Khan, Uzma Litaf, conference setup specialist, Kishwer Durrani, and financial assistant, Ali Mohiuddin.

Afghanistan team was composed of country director, Dr. Mohibullah Wahdati, and large scale food fortification

manager, Sayed Jamaluddin Sediqi. Dora Panagides, Senior Manager, Large Scale Food Fortification, provided assistance

and leadership to both Afghanistan and Pakistan teams. Sahra Mohamed and Caroline Manus from GAIN’s London

office provided efficient support and backstopping on technical, logistic and planning level.

(From left to right) Fuad Hamid, Muhammad Qavi Khan, Dr. Wahdati, Sofiya Khan,

Dora Panagides, Uzma Litaf and Kishwar Durrani

33

ANNEX 1. AGENDA

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in partnership with The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Pakistan-Afghanistan Cross Border Trade Meeting on Fortified Wheat Flour and Edible Oil/Ghee

Date: May 23-25, 2016

Venue: Islamabad Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan

Program Day 1 - May 23, 2016

Scheduled Time

Sessions

8.30 to 9.00 Registration

9.00 to 11. 0

Opening and Welcoming Remarks

Recitation of Quran

Ms. Sofiya Khan, GAIN Interim Country Director, Pakistan

Dr. Wahdati, GAIN Country Director Afghanistan

Mr. Mohammad Aslam Shaheen, Chief Nutrition Section and SUN Coordinator, Planning Commission

Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Director Nutrition, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and

Secretary National Fortification Alliance

Mr. S.A. Nasir Yousofi, Deputy Head of Mission, Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad

Mr. Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination

Group photo and Tea break (20 mins)

11.00 to 11.30

Tea time

11.30 to

13.30

Overview of Flour Fortification and Edible Oils in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Introduction of participants: Dr. Ali Ahmad Khan, National SUN Secretariat, GAIN Program Associates: Fuad Hamid, Mohammad Qavi and Uzma Latif (10 mins) Objectives of the meeting and presentation of the agenda, Dr. Ali Ahmad Khan, National SUN Secretariat, and Mohammad Qavi, GAIN Program Associate Baluchistan (10 mins)

Session 1 – Status of Fortification of Wheat Flour and Edible Oil/Ghee in Pakistan and

Afghanistan

Chair: Naeem Butt, Chairman, Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) (5 mins)

Co-chair: Iftikhar Ahmad Mutto, PFMA Chairman, North Zone (Punjab)

Sharif Agha, PFMA Chairman Baluchistan

Malik Iftikhar Ahmad Awan, PFMA Chairman KPK

Moderator: Malik Taraq Sarwar Awan, Technical Member PFMA Fortification Committee

Update on Edible Oil/Ghee Fortification in Pakistan, Umer Islam Khan Secretary General - PVMA

(15 mins)

Update on Flour Fortification in Pakistan Asim Raza, Chairman PFMA Technical Fortification Committee (20

mins)

34

Current status of export of wheat flour to Afghanistan and future perspectives,

Anjum Sardar, Deputy Secretary Technical, Punjab Food Department (15 mins)

Update from the provinces

Baluchistan: Mr. Mehrab Khan, Additional Secretory, Food Department, Government of Baluchistan

Mr. Abdullah Khan, Additional Secretory, Health Development, Government of

Baluchistan

KPK: Mr. Muhammad Anwar Khan, Director Food Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Punjab: Dr. Jaffer Saleem, Director Health Services, Health Department Punjab

Dr. Sakhawat Ali, Director General, PCSIR Lahore:

Update on Wheat Flour and Edible Oil/Ghee Fortification in Afghanistan, Dr. Homayoun Ludin, Director,

Public Nutrition Department(PND), (20 mins)

Food fortification policy in Afghanistan and status of the legislation, Dr. Homayoun Ludin, Director,

Public Nutrition Department (PND) (15 mins)

Discussion (20mins)

13:00 to 14:30

Lunch break

14:30 to

15:45

Overview of Regional USAID-Supported Food Fortification Projects

Update: Pakistan Regional Fortification Project, Dora Panagides, GAIN Senior Manager of Large Scale Food

Fortification (10 mins)

Update: Afghanistan Regional Fortification Project, Dr. Wahdati, GAIN Afghanistan, Country Director (10 mins)

Discussion (10 mins)

15:45 to 16:00

Tea time

16:00 to

17:30

Working Groups

Session 2 – Paired Pakistan-Afghanistan meetings (90 mins)

Chair: Saman Mal, PFMA Chairman, Sindh

Co–Chair: Mian Riaz, PFMA Punjab

Sayed Jamaluddin Sediqi, GAIN LSFF Manager

Industry – Trader’s Meeting

Moderator: Asim Raza, PFMA, Chairman, Flour Fortification Committee

Iftikhar Ahmad Mutto, PFMA Chairman Punjab

Government/Regulatory Authorities Meeting

Moderator: Dr. Shazad Afzal, PSQCA Deputy Director General

Co-moderator: Dr. Zakir Nasssimi, Head of Health and Food Safety Department, MOPH

17:30 to 17:45

Plenary: Working group reports (45 mins)

Industry – Trader’s meeting: Conclusions and Recommendations (15 mins) Rapporteur: Malik Taraq Sarwar Awan, Technical Member PFMA Fortification Committee

Government/Regulatory Authorities Meeting: Conclusions and Recommendations (15 mins) Rapporteur: Anjum Sadar, Deputy Secretary Technical, Punjab Food Department

35

Program Day 2 – 24 May 2016

Scheduled Time Sessions

9:45 to 11:10

Overview of Fortification Standards and Regulations in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Session 3 – Standards and Regulations for Fortified Foods in Pakistan

and Afghanistan

Chair: Dr. Shahzad Alam, Chairman, Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (10 mins)

Chair: Muhammad Khalid Siddiq, Director General PSQCA

Co-chair: Mohammad Halim Ibrahimi, General Manager of Nutrition, Afghanistan Ministry of

Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)

The status of standardization and regulatory system for wheat flour and edible oil/ghee

in Pakistan (20 mins)

Dr. Shazad Afzal, Deputy Director General PSQCA

Food Fortification standards and certification process in Afghanistan (20 mins)

Dr. Homayoon Ludin (Director, Public Nutrition Department, Afghanistan) replacing Wakil Rahim, Head of Codification of

Food Items & Agriculture Products, Afghanistan National Standard Authority (ANSA)

Mutual recognition agreements on internal regulatory monitoring (20 mins)

Dr. Mohammad Zakir Nassimi, Food Safety Director, Ministry of Public Health

Harmonization of fortification standards,

Dr. Khawaja Masood, on behalf of Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai as Secretary NFA

Address of the Chair: Role and progress of PCSIR as related to food fortification

Dr. Shahzad Alam, Chairman, Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

11:10 to 11:40

Tea time

11:40 to

12:45

Update from the national expert group on harmonization of fortification Standards in

the Region (10 mins)

Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai, Director Nutrition, Ministry of Health Services, and Secretary National Fortification Alliance

Discussion (20 mins).

12:45 to

13:00

Overview of Trade Policies and Procedures for Wheat Flour and Edible Oils between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Session 4 – Trades of Wheat Flour and Edible Oil/Ghee between Pakistan

and Afghanistan: Practices, rules and regulations.

Chair: Habibullah Asad,

Co-chairs: Roubina Roubina Taufiq Shah Director General Trade Dispute Resolution

Organization, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan

Discussion (15 mins)

17:45 to 18:15

Discussion

36

Naeem Butt, Chairman, Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA)

Asim Raza, PFMA, Chairman, Flour Fortification Committee

Trade policies, procedures and formalities for exporting wheat flour and edible oil/ghee to Afghanistan (20

mins)

Mohammad Sulaiman, Consultant on Customs and International Trade, Sulaiman Associates,

Trade policies, procedures and regulations for import of wheat flour and Edible oil/ghee in Afghanistan (20

mins)

Dr. Daud Moussa and Dr. Massoud, Advisers for ACCI, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce

and Industries (ACCI)

Discussion (15 mins)

The Voice of Traders from Pakistan and Afghanistan (35 mins)

Moderator: Mr. Naeem Butt, Pakistan Flour Millers Association

Traders Panel: Haji Agha, Afghanistan Trader/Importer Chair of south side of the country

Dawood Khan, Jamel’s Traders, Peshawar; Muhammad Taraq, Haq Bahoo

Flour Mills, Peshawar; Rasool Khan, s/o Qacim from Kadir Mandi, Jalalabad;

Khair Mohamed Rahmuden, Trader & importer of flour and Chairman of

Afghanistan Traders Committee; Abdul Bari, Trader Baluchistan;

Ahmadi Mohammad Asif, Chairman Afghanistan Flour Traders Association (AFTA).

13:00 to 14:30

Lunch

14:30 to 15.30

Close-out Session

Ms. Sofiya Khan, GAIN Interim Country Director/Pakistan

Dr. Wahdati, GAIN Country Director/Afghanistan

Distribution of certificates by key leaders.

Program Day 3 – 25 May 2016

Scheduled Time

Visit to KPK for the Afghan delegation

7.00

9.00 to 12.00

16:30 – 18:00

Departure to KPK: Uzma Litaf

Morning – Hosted by PFMA Chairman Naeem Butt and Iftikhar Malik

- Welcome by PFMA KPK Chairman

- Visit to a Flour mill

- Lunch offered by PFMA KPK

Afternoon – PVMA

- Welcome by Mr. Muhammad Ishtiaq, Executive Director Shama Ghee Mills.

- Visit to Shama Ghee Mills

- Return to Islamabad

37

ANNEX 2. PARTICIPANTS LIST FOR CROSS BORDER MEETING

Participants from KPK Province of Pakistan

S.No. Name of Participant

Designations Contact No. Email ID

1. Malik Iftikhar Ahmed Awan

Chairman PFMA-KPK 0321-9059023 malikiftekharawan@gmail.com

2. Muhammad Naeem Butt

Chairman PFMA-Central

0300-8599433 butt_poly@yahoo.com

3. Haji Sartaj Ali Khan Vice Chairman PFMA-KPK

Malakand Division

0300-8586444 ejaz.fm@gmail.com kami312@gmail.com

4. Muhammad Ali Hamza

Vice Chairman PFMA-KPK

Mardan Division

0345-5000763 hamzanaikamal@gmail.com

5. Haji Muhammad Tariq

EC-Member 0347-9000059 khan_sahib679@yahoo.com

6. Haji Adan Khan EC-Member 0345-8585095 darwaishflourmill@yahoo.com

7. Haji Muhammad Yousaf Afridi

EC-Member 0333-9186181 pfma321@gmail.com

8. Muhammad Waseem

EC-Member 0315-9392690 m.waseemkhan202@gmail.com

9. Gul Sahib Jan EC-Member 0321-8587006 newahmadrollerflourmills@gmail.com

10. Bashir Ahmed Matta

Member 0333-9131258 abdullahsaid223@gmail.com

11. Muhammad Anees Ashraf

Member 0321-9001950 anees_ashraf58@yahoo.com

12. Mansoor Siddiqui Secretary General PFMA-KPK

0315-9001236 091-9214173

pfma321@gmail.com mansoorsid@gmail.com

13. Mr. Daud Chairman 0300-8585096 Jamal.traders@gmail.com 14. Muhammad

Anwar Khan Director Food 0300-8580463 anwar7mcmc@yahoo.com

15. Muhammad Ishtiaq

Shama Ghee Mill 0923-611743-610489

shamaghee@gmail.com

16. Rasool Khan s/o Qasim from Kadir Mandi, Jalalabad

Traders from Afganistan

0300-0516580 newahmadrollerflourmills@gmail.com

Participants from Baluchistan

S.No. Name of Participant

Designations Contact No. Email ID

1. Mr.. Abdullah Khan

Additional Secretary health services

2. Arshad Mehmood Director General Health 03342423712 dghs@yahoo.com

38

Services

3. Dr. Ali Nasir Bugti PC Nutrition Program 03337700250 Dr.alibugti@yahoo.com

4. Mehrab Khan Additional Secretary 3337827973 5. Abdul wahid dealer 3337818765 6. Fazal agha flour mill 7. Mr. Sharif Agha Chairman 03003803045 not available 8. Mr. Zahoor Agha Vice Chairman 03218180123 not available

9. Son of Mr. Zahoor Agha

Representative 03218180123 not available

10. Mr. Abdur Rahman Achakzai

Owner Arslan Flour Mills

03003831566 not available

11. Mr. Badruddin Kakar

Owner New Jamal Flour Mills

03003875387 not available

Participants from Punjab Province of Pakistan

S.No. Name of Participant

Designations Contact No. Email ID

1. Anjum Sardar Deputy Secretary Food 03337857252 deputysecretaryfoodpb@gmail.com

2. Dr. Jaffer Saleem

Director Health Services 04299201141

3. Ms Roubina Chamber of commerce.

4. Mr. Shahzed Alam

Chairman PCSIR 03084444544 shahzad.alam@cei.com.pk

5. Dr. Sakhawat Ali

DG PCSIR Punjab 03004164147 Sakhawat106@gmail.com

6. DR. Ijaz Ahmed

Senior Food Scientist, PCSIR

04299230688 ijazft@hotmail.com

7. Muhammad Khalid Siddiq

Director General PSQCA 02199261847

8. Dr. Shahzad Afza

Deputy Director General PSQCA

03334368092 s.afzal@yahoo.com

9. Mr. Masood Ahmed

Director PSQCA 04299230618

10. Iftikhar Mattu Chairman PFMA 03028622229 iftikharmutto@gmail.com

11. Asim Raza Chairman Wheat Flour

Fortification PFMA pfmapunjab@gmail.com

12. Malik Iftikhar Ahmed

Member PFMA 03028622229

13. M. Atta Ur Rehman

Senior Vice Chairman 03339137145 argroup_pk11@yahoo.com

14. Mian Riaz Member PFMA 03008450091

15. Tariq Sarwar Awan

Technical Advisor PFMA 03335497171 tariq_sarwar@yahoo.com

16. Syed Zaheer agha

Member PFMA 03218180123

17. Mr. Iftikhar Member PFMA 03008681573

18. M. Imran Al Imran flour mills 03008511343

39

19. Umer Islam Khan

Secretary General PVMA 03008549648 info@pvma.com.pk

20. Dr. Tauseef Jangjua

T.P MI 03008643447

21. Dr. Baseer Khan Achakzai

Director National Fortification Alliance

achakzaibk@gmail.com

22.

Dr. Khuwaja Masud Ahmed

National Coordinator National Fortification Alliance

03009634112 kmahmed85@yahoo.com

23. Diane Northway

Mott MacDonald

24. Dr. Ihsan Ullah National Program

Manager MI

25. Dr. Naseem country director MI

26. Munawar Hussain

National Program Manager MI

03006266187

Participants from Islamabad

S.No. Name of Participant

Designations Contact No. Email ID

1. Mohamed Ali Hamza

M.D OF Al-Khair Flour Mills

03455000763

2. Hajji Adnan MD OF Darwaish FM 03458585095

3. Bashir Ahmed Matta

MD of Saad F.M 03339131258

4. Nusrat Shaheen PO-NFA 03325965502 nusratshaheen@live.com

5. M. Anees Ashraf Director of Ashraf Group

03219001950 anees_ashraf58@yahoo.com

6. M.Suleiman Consultant on Customs, Sales Tax

03335146938 sulaimanassociates@gmail.com

7. Waseem Butt CEO Genera Pharmaceutical

03008545401 waseem@genera.pk

8. Mr. Farhan Senior Manager, Nutrition & Health, BASF

Faran.ullah@basf.com

9. Mr. Yasir co-worker with Mr. Suliaman

Participants form Afghanistan

S.No. Name of Participant

Designations Email ID Contact No.

1. Habibullah Asad

Focal point for World Trade

Organization WTO and Trade

Policy Advisor at MoCI

hzmaray@gmail.com 0786207224

2. Zemarai Sharifi

Organic Compounds Analysis

General Manager, Customs Central

zamary2002.zk@gmail.c

om

0774300082,

40

Laboratory, Afghan Customs

Department

0786636719 3. Dr.

Homayoun Ludin

Director ,Public Nutrition

Department (PND) MOPH

nutrition.moph@gmail.co

m

0700604649

4. Dr. Zakir Head Health and Food Safety

Department

ntp.zakirnassimi@gmail.com

0784690215

5. Basir Ahmad Faqiri

Food Control Lab Manager Basirahmad_faqiri@yahoo.com

0780626374

6. Dr. Massood

Adviser for ACCI, Afghanistan

Chamber of Commerce &

Industries (ACCI), Ministry of

Commerce & Industry (MoCI)

masood.parwanfar@gma

il.com

0790999000

7. Dr. Daud Musa

Advisor for ACCI and same with Dr.

Massood,

mirsltd@yahoo.com 0093 700 285 386/0093 772

743 387

8. Mohammad Halim Ibrahim

General Manager of Nutrition in

MAIL mhalim.ibrahimi@yahoo.

com

0700243202

9. Haji Asef Chair of Wheat Flour Mills

Association

NA 0777275971

10. Haji Agha Trader , importer of flour and Chair

of south side of the country

NA 0797975000

11. Sanaizada Chair Oil refinery in North of

Afghanistan

sanaizadaoil@yahoo.c

om

0700510492

12. Dr. Wahdati GAION - Country Director for

Afghanistan

mwahdati@gainhealth.org

0793558788

13. Dr. Sediqi GAIN - Senior Manager for Large

Scale Food Fortification

sjsediqi@gainhealth.org

0700704082

0774076756