Reap team returns from China with huge rice export orders

A trade delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), led by the association's Senior Vice-Chairman Noman Ahmed Shaikh, has returned with huge export orders from China. The delegation visited Beijing, Schenzhen and Guangzhou during 17 to 26 March. China is a very attractive market of Pakistani rice, as approximately 500,000 metric tons of rice is exported to China annually.
"Dr Erfa Iqbal, Commercial Secretary at Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing, and her team facilitated the Reap delegation and arranged a seminar at the Embassy, which was attended by the officials of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and a large number of Rice buyers," Noman said. He said that the Embassy had made wonderful arrangements and extended its full cooperation in facilitating business to business (B2B) meetings of the rice exporters with their Chinese counterparts.
"During the visit, a meeting with a Chinese government body, COFCO, was also held which remained very fruitful and we are hopeful that COFCO will again consider buying rice directly from Pakistan," he added. Noman said that the Reap delegation visited Guangzhou and Schenzhen and with the support and cooperation of Pakistan Consulate held meetings with Schenzhen Cereal Association, Guangzhou Grain Association, Chamber of Commerce, Foshan Grain Reserve Corporation and other leading Chinese rice importers and "we are hopeful to receive good rice export orders".
Talking about a future strategy, Noman said that Reap and COFCO would organise a seminar with the support of the Embassy of Pakistan in near future and invitations would be sent to the government authorities, chamber officials and leading rice buyers from China. This seminar, he added would be very instrumental in promoting Pakistani rice in Chinese markets.
"We are thankful to S M Muneer, Chief Executive TDAP, and Dr Muhammad Usman, Director General, TDAP, for their co-ordination with Pakistan Missions in China and playing a crucial role in making the visit a great success," he Noman said. On behalf of Reap, he also thanked the officials of Embassy and Consulate of Pakistan in Beijing and Guangzhou.