Vice Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Taufeeq Ahmad Khan said on Monday that rice export data has shown positive signs as during the first nine months of current fiscal the country exported rice worth dollar 1.5 billion.
While addressing a press conference, Khan said that the country's rice export could not only meet US $2 billion target for the current fiscal but also it could be doubled in the next few years, provided the government gives due support and apply zero rated tax regime on rice industry. Rice export sector is the second largest foreign exchange earner after textile, he added.
Khan said that owing to heavy flooding last year and unrest in the Middle East, rice exporters were expecting 50 percent decline in rice exports, but better basmati pricing played a pivotal role this year. He disclosed that during July-March 2010-11 Pakistan had exported 2.75 million tonnes of rice of which 0.80 million tonnes was basmati and 1.94 million tonnes were non-basmati varieties. REAP figures show that Pakistan had exported over $699 million worth basmati rice during the first three quarters of the current financial year, which was 19 percent higher during the same period last year. While non-basmati rice exports registered a decline of 18.33 percent as the country had exported $851 million worth non-basmati rice during first none month of current financial year.
However, REAP acting chairman underlined that Pakistan would achieve rice export target. He asked the government to provide much-needed support to the rice industry. "Loadshedding and high-markup were already hitting hard to the second largest export oriented industry and now the government has imposed multiple taxes, which has virtually made Pakistani products uncompetitive in international markets." Khan pointed out that due to unrest in the Middle East rice exporters were afraid, as buyers were reluctant to book orders. Rice exporters were willing to explore new markets, but they require government patronage. He stressed that China could be lucrative market for Pakistani rice exporters as rice was a staple there. "If Pakistan manages to capture Chinese rice market, there is no need to look towards other countries," he added.
He also demanded of the government to provide a piece of land in Kala Shah Kaku for setting up a technical training centre for rice, as there was shortage of skilled manpower and research & development. Since last 25 years no new seed or variety was introduced in Pakistan, he added. Khan also said that the association was also in contact with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to facilitate REAP members for participating in China International Rice Expo-2011 as well as Rice International Conference and Exhibition at Dubai.
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