Storage sector needs tech upgrade

LAHORE: The country’s cold storage sector needs new technology and a ranking system to improve its efficiency and reduce costs, a top industry official said on Friday.

Zaki Aijaz, regional chairman and vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said the sector should use racks and pallet systems instead of manual loading and unloading, and adopt approved gases and solar systems.

He also said cold storage facilities should be divided into small rooms where different products can be preserved at different temperatures.

“These measures can make the cold storage sector energy efficient and competitive,” Aijaz said at the annual general meeting of the All Pakistan Cold Storage Association (APCSA) at FPCCI Regional Office Lahore.

He added that the FPCCI would play its full role in solving the problems faced by the cold storage association.

Mian Rehman Aziz Chan, chairman of APCSA, said the sector was suffering from high tariffs on electricity and inflation, as well as high interest rates.

He said cold storage costs had increased by more than 30 percent due to these factors.

Chan also said the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had shifted the cold storage sector from the industry tariff to commercial tariffs without consultation.

“We appeal to the government to transfer the cold storage sector from commercial tariff to industry tariff, as it is an essential part of the agro-industry.”

He said the Punjab Revenue Authority was not harassing the sector, but appealing for taxes.

“We are ready to cooperate with them and have already paid the taxes. We are part of the documentary economy and we should be honored.”