KARACHI: Pakistan has secured approval for 16 seafood exporters to ship products to Russia, a development industry representatives say marks a “historic and much-awaited breakthrough” for the sector.
Asim Abrar, chief executive officer of Seagreat Enterprises and chairman of the Task Force as well as the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority, said stakeholders had pursued market access for years and described the approval as a key milestone for the country’s fisheries industry.
The clearance by Russian authorities allows selected Pakistani companies to begin exporting seafood products to the market, opening a new destination for an industry that has traditionally relied on a limited set of buyers.
The breakthrough follows coordinated efforts by the Marine Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, which worked to meet regulatory and technical requirements for access.
Industry participants expect the development to support export diversification, strengthen bilateral trade links and contribute to foreign exchange earnings, as Pakistan seeks to expand its external sector base.
The fisheries sector has been attempting to upgrade compliance standards and broaden access to higher-value international markets, with Russia now emerging as a new outlet for potential growth.
