A delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) led by its Chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo will meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday (today). The delegation will apprise the PM about current rice scenario, production, export target and international rice price levels.
The delegation will also brief the PM about the impact on rice export if TCP enters rice trade. The issue of sending rice growers to other rice producing countries to learn latest farm technology will also be discussed in the meeting.
The delegation will give proposals to the PM to give subsidies in such way that it reaches growers' directly.
Abdul Rahim Janoo will also invite the Prime Minister to be the chief guest at Reap's 4th Export Trophy Award. Reap holds this event to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of rice exporters, who after privatisation of rice export trade by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in 1989, have increased rice exports from mere $300 million to $2.20 billion in fiscal year 2007-08.
He pointed out that the rice export target for current fiscal year is $2.30 billion and in the first six months of the year rice exports have crossed $1.18 billion mark due to business friendly policies of the present government and the said target is likely to be achieved before the end of June 2009.
Chairman Reap will also elaborate holding of international event "Basmati Village" to be held in August 2009 in Lahore with the support of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
He will also request the PM to inaugurate the three day event, in which about 250 leading Basmati buyers of the world will visit besides leading rice machinery manufacturers, research and development organisations and rice by-product manufacturers. "The event is very important to build Pakistani Basmati's image as the best in the world and the Logo "Pakistan - Home of the Best Rice in the World," he said.
Abdul Rahim Janoo will seek government support for recapturing the lost Saudi rice market, to tap new largest markets of South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria and to increase more share in Pakistan's largest Basmati buyer Iran and Pakistan's largest non-basmati buyer Kenya.