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Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has urged the government to appoint sincere, active and intelligent commercial counselors to boost the declining exports of the country. Rafique Suleman, acting chairman of REAP, has hoped that 2018 will be a better year for Pakistan's overall trade, particularly export sector, which was facing decline for many years.
Quoting half-yearly statistics, he said in six months approximately 11 percent growth has been observed in overall trade. He expressed pleasure over the appointment of Miftah Ismail as Advisor to PM on finance saying Miftah has a business approach and he keeps an eye on overall economic situation of the country. "We are confident that he will take necessary steps for the trade particularly the 2nd largest export trade. We hope that rice trade will get government attention and full support," he added.
He said REAP is also waiting for the industry status for rice export trade. Further, the government should give attention to Research & Development work on rice and proper check and balance will be done on local rice trade, so that stakeholders, ie, farmers, miller, traders and exporters will be on same page.
The acting chairman said REAP is already making efforts for increase in rice exports and in this regard, last month a delegation visited Sri Lanka. A number of trade visits have been planned to enhance rice exports, he added. It was unfortunate that the performance of Pakistani High Commission remained very poor. He emphasized that the commercial counselors/commercial secretary must be sincere, active and well-educated to take up the trade-related matters, so that exports may pick up in important countries.
Rafique said next month REAP will send a delegation to Mauritius, which is a good market for Basmati rice. A competitor is dominant in that market and Pakistani rice exporters are facing tough competition in Mauritius. After that REAP will also send a trade delegation to South American countries - Brazil, Chile and Argentine, where Pakistani rice exports are very negligible and as per the available statistics total rice exports of three countries stand at approx $ 6.0 million annually.
After sending delegations to these countries, we are hopeful that Pakistan will get a good market share in these countries, he added. He said that Afghanistan and Iran are very good markets for Pakistani Basmati rice. Pakistani Missions in these countries must work for increase of rice exports and if there is any opportunity, REAP will be ready to send trade delegation to these neighboring countries. Please note that most of the countries have major trade share with their neighboring countries, he added.
He pointed out persistent declining rice exports to China, as a few years back rice exports to China were approx 500,000 metric tons, but in last fiscal years less than 275,000 metric tons could be exported to China. In the context of CPEC, he requested the government to convince government of China to import more Pakistani rice to balance trade between friendly countries.
Rafique also appreciated the role of Inamullah Khan, Secretary, TDAP, Dr Syed Jawed Akhter, Director General TDAP as well as Dr Waseem-ul-Hasan, Director General, Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and Sohail Shahzad, Deputy Director DPP for their support towards the betterment of rice export trade.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018

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