Sri Lanka wants to import over 0.2 million tonnes of rice extra than the existing trade from Pakistan to fulfil its domestic needs in 2008. This was stated by Sri Lanka's Consul General V.S. Sidath Kumar while talking the leading rice exporters during his visit to Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) office here on Tuesday.
He said that both the countries are enjoying strong trade relations and Sri Lanka wants to further increase bilateral trade. Pakistan is the second highest trade partner of Sri Lanka, he added.
The Sri Lankan consul general said the present quota of 6,000 tonnes of Basmati rice under the free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is not enough and the quota should be increased to 10,000 tonnes.
Former Reap chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo said on this occasion that the Association has planned to send a delegation of rice exporters to Sri Lanka next month to increase bilateral trade between the two friendly South Asian countries. He said the delegation will meet the Sri Lankan prime minister, the commerce minister and the high-ranked officials of Board of Investment, Duty Free Zone, Chamber of Commerce and other relevant departments.
He informed the Sri Lankan consul general that Reap wants to increase quota of existing 6,000 tons of Basmati rice under the FTA to 12,000 tonnes. "We will take up this issue with the authorities concerned after the completion of new political set-up in the country and we will try to increase this quota", he added.
The Sri Lankan CG assured that the Sri Lankan government will provide all necessary facilities to the Reap delegation and arrange meetings with the authorities concerned so the bilateral trade could further grow between the two countries. While welcoming the guests, Reap Vice Chairman Abdul Baseer briefed them about the organisational structure and its performance.
He said that Reap is the second largest trade body in the country and has achieved the target of $1.2 billion mark of rice export. "Reap is working on increasing rice trade to achieve the target of $1.5 billion rice export in the current fiscal year", he added. A large number of Reap members attended the programme and discussed various issues related to rice trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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