Reap plans 'Biryani Festival' in three Saudi cities

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has planned to hold 'Biryani Festival' in three cities of Saudi Arabia next month in a bid to increase the share of Pakistani rice in Saudi market. These events will be held in Dammam, Jeddah and Madina during a proposed visit of the Reap delegation to be led by its Chairman Malik Muhammad Jehangir.
The 20-25 members' delegation will be undertaking visit of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to attract the buyers for Pakistani rice in these two potential markets. Jehangir told Business Recorder here on Monday that the delegation would leave for Bahrain on February 6, 2010 and hold meetings with the importers of Basmati and non-Basmati rice in Bahrain on February 7 and 8, 2010.
Later, the delegation would leave for Dammam on February 9 and would remain in Saudi till February 15. Similarly, the delegation would meet the leading buyers of rice and representatives of chambers in Dammam, Jeddah and Madina during their stay in these cities.
He said besides holding meetings with the importers in these cities, the association would also hold 'Biryani Festival' and arrange special meetings with potential clients from the private sector. He said State Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim is also likely to attend the Jeddah 'Biryani Festival' while the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chairman will probably be participating in remaining two festivals.
Jehangir said this was a follow-up visit to Saudi Arabia by Reap members after the one conducted during last year to this market last year. Saudi Arab was a major importer of Pakistani rice, both Basmati and non-Basmati, but somehow it lost its share. 'Now Reap is trying to regain this market. "We were at number three in Saudi market but now have slipped to number five or six," Malik added.
He said during the first six months of current financial year, Pakistan exported around 40,000 tons of Basmati rice and 50,000 tons of non-Basmati rice to Saudi Arabia and the association was endeavouring to double the exports of both the varieties. Malik said the association was making continuous efforts to enhance Pakistani rice exports and these visits are part of this exercise. He said they are also planning to visit South Africa in March this year to promote Pakistani rice.