Karachi, Nov 16 - The postponement of a visit by a European Union (EU) team over the implementation of international standards for seafood export will be 'harmful for economic development', an official said in this Pakistani port city.

Sharmila Farooqui, adviser to the Sindh chief minister, expressed concern over the postponement of the EU delegation's visit -- scheduled to start Monday. She said it was harmful for economic development.

In a statement Sunday, she said that seafood was an important part of Pakistani export and the postponement would cause despair to the people linked to the seafood industry.

Farooqui said that the Saudi government and other countries had certified Pakistani seafood, including fish and prawn, which showed that Pakistani seafood was standardised.