KARACHI: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has assured to facilitate rice traders to strengthen the rice exports to earn more foreign exchange.
A delegation from the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), led by the Senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Jawed Jillani, met with officials from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Wednesday. The key participants included Zubair Motiwala, Chief Executive of TDAP, Shehryar Taj, TDAP’s Secretary, Rafique Suleman former chairman REAP and rice exporters.
The meeting focused on strategies to boost Pakistan’s rice exports and address challenges facing the sector.
Motiwala warmly welcomed the REAP delegation, acknowledging the significant role of rice exports in Pakistan’s economy. He highlighted the importance of increasing market access and exploring new regions to expand Pakistan’s share in the global rice trade.
Discussions centered on targeting untapped markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, areas with high potential for growth.
Motiwala said that the government has set an ambitious export target for the food group for this fiscal year and the rice sector plays a vital role to achieve this target and support the economy.
Jillani also raised concerns about export challenges, particularly related to logistics and supply chain inefficiencies. He highlighted the issue of storage and said that there are limited storage facilities in the country that need to be enhanced.
He also urged the need to improve infrastructure and streamline export processes to ensure timely delivery and better competitiveness. Additionally, the role of technology in enhancing quality and operational efficiency was discussed, with REAP emphasizing the need for modern farming practices and digital tools to support exporters.
Both REAP and TDAP expressed a strong commitment to working together to overcome challenges and boost rice exports. The meeting concluded with a shared focus on collaboration, innovation, and creating a more efficient and competitive rice export sector, ultimately contributing to Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth.
The productive discussions underscored the importance of public-private partnership in achieving long-term success for Pakistan’s agricultural exports.
On the occasion Rafique Suleman thanked the TDAP official specially Zubair Motiwala for their continued support for the rice export sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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