A delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) is expected to leave for Kenya soon to resolve the issue of Pakistani rice held at Kenyan port. The delegation headed by Reap Vice Chairman Rafiq Sulaman is expected to hold meetings with the officials of Kenyan Ministry of Trade, Commissioner of Kenyan Revenue Authority, Director of Kenyan Board of Standard and the Kenyan rice importers during this visit.
The other members of the delegation would be Qayyum Paracha, Bashir Ahmed, Mazhar Hassan and Usman Shaikh. Hundreds of containers of Pakistan rice have been held at the Kenyan port as the Kenyan authorities refused to release them until Laboratory Analysis Reports.
The Kenyan Customs authorities have imposed restrictions that all rice imported in Kenya will not be released from the port until Laboratory Analysis Reports (LAR) in respect to grading have been received in the station of clearance. Earlier, certificate issued by Kenya Bureau of Standards was required for clearance. Rafiq Sulaman told Business Recorder on Saturday that the delegation will discuss the issue with Kenyan authorities. He was optimistic that the issue would be resolved.