PESHAWAR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is going to establish a Fruit Dehydration Unit in Swat, its general manager Javed Iqbal Khattak stated. Pakistan’s share of supply is only 8,000 tons of dried fruit out of a global demand of 0.95 million tons, according to Khattak. The unit will have an installed capacity of 175 tons of fruit and vegetables per year along with washing, slicing, packing and storing facilities. Technological advancement and adoption of modern farming practices will allow Pakistan to substantially increase its market share in the $2.5 billion industry Khattak said. The project will cost Rs59.94 million and will boost direct and indirect employment in the region.