Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Kshak Latuconsina on Monday said that there was no ban on Pakistani rice in Indonesia. He was talking to leading rice exporters during his visit to the office of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) here. The Indonesian Consul General in Karachi Mustaqeem and other officials from the consulate were also present on this occasion.
The Ambassador said that Pakistan and Indonesia are two brotherly countries which enjoying very strong relations and the Indonesian government never imposed ban on the import of rice from Pakistan. "The Indonesian market is also open for Pakistani rice exporters as it is for other countries", he added. He pointed out that the work to sign preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Indonesia had almost been completed and it was expected the agreement would be signed in 2009.
After signing this agreement the work to sign free trade agreement (FTA) would be started, he added. He acknowledged the fact that the rice export to Indonesia from Pakistan has declined during the last few years. However, he said, that there are certain reason behind it. He pointed out that since January 2008, Indonesia did not import the commodity and the prime reason was that Indonesia had achieved the level of self-sufficiency in rice production. "In fact we are considering exporting rice to Japan, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam this year if we achieve the national target to produce 40 million tons of rice in 2009", he said.
However, he said, it does not mean that there is no possibility of rice export to Indonesia. In fact, the need to import rice may arise at any time to ensure sufficient stocks, to keep price stable and to secure national rice stocks, he said. He suggested the Pakistani rice exporters to prepare themselves to grab the opportunity in future.
He said Pakistan is considered as one of the best producers of top quality rice in the world. "I am an admirer of the Pakistani rice especially the basmati for its unique taste and aroma", he added. He assured full co-operation to the REAP members from the Indonesian Embassy in enhancing trade relation between the two countries. "I desire an active trade relationship between Indonesia and Pakistan in all sectors and I hope that our joint efforts will materialise into a productive relationship for the benefit of the people of both countries", he added.
He also congratulated the Pakistani rice exporters for achieving $2 billion mark in the export of this commodity in the current fiscal despite global recession and very tough price competition in the international markets.
On the occasion, Chairman Reap, Abdul Rahim Janoo said that Pakistan and Indonesia were two brotherly Muslim countries having same culture and strong relations for long. Both the nations support each other in case of any emergency or natural disaster, he added. He said that Pakistani people never forget the Indonesian support to Pakistan during the 1965 war. In the same way the Pakistani people and business community contributed a lot for their Indonesian brothers during tsunami.
However, he mentioned, that the rice trade between the two countries was continuously declining from last many years. He said Indonesia has been a big market for Pakistani rice. "We desire to get our share in this huge rice consuming market", he added. Various issues related to trade including possibility of signing free trade agreement between the two countries were also discussed during the meeting.
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