Pakistan – Afghanistan Cross Border Trade Meeting
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BackgroundUndernutrition 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. ObjectivesThe 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:
ParticipantsThe 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
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
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) DFID MI
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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