Pakistani rice exporters are planning to re-capture the potential Saudi market and making a strategy to get 50 percent share of the total Saudi rice import during the current fiscal year, said a press release.
Having a bumper crop and after establishing many parboil plants in the country, Pakistani rice exporters would be able to compete their Indian counterparts, and it is expected that the share of Pakistani rice exports to Saudi Arabia would be increased remarkably during this year.
The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has planned to send a delegation of rice exporters to Saudi Arabia for promoting rice exports in this potential market and hopefully, the proposed delegation would visit Saudi Arabia in February 2007.
In this regard, the Association six-member delegation, led by Reap Chairman Abdul Aziz Manyia, met Saudi Consul General in Karachi Dr Hassan A. Attar at the Saudi Consulate and discussed various means of to enhance rice exports to Saudi Arabia.
Dr Hassan A. Attar welcomed the delegation and assured his co-operation to promote rice exports to Saudi Arabia, saying that Pakistani Basmati rice variety is very popular in Saudi Arabia.
Abdul Aziz Manyia apprised the Consul General the current crop figures, export target and other relevant details. Former Reap chief Abdul Rahim Janoo informed the Consul General that due to current bumper crop Pakistan will be able to capture again more than 50 percent of its share in total Saudi market. He said that due to business friendly policies of the Pakistan government the parboiling sector is progressing and majority of its parboil exports will move to Saudi Arabia.
Leading rice exporters, including Abdul Rauf Chappal, Muhammad Amjad, Younus Ismail, and Rafique Suleman were present on the occasion.