Rafique Suleman apprised Governor Sindh about the issues and problems being faced by Pakistani Rice Exporters. He informed that despite country 2nd largest foreign exchange earning sector, rice export sector is not given the status of industry by the federal government. In addition, in the recently announced export package by government has ignored the rice sector and there was no relief for rice export sector such as other exporting sectors, he added.
He said that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their untiring efforts for the increase of export trade; however some issues are needed to address immediately to enhance the country's exports.
He further informed that Indonesia only procure rice on Govt-to-Government (G to G) basis and following this process several rice exporting countries have authorized their Exporting Associations to export rice to Indonesia on behalf of their government.
"We had also requested Federal Commerce Minister to authorize REAP for rice export to Indonesia, as Pakistani rice has a good potential in Indonesia and approx 300,000 metric tons of rice may be exported to Indonesia which will fetch $ 120 million valuable foreign exchange for our beloved country", he informed. Muhammad Zubair listened problems and issues of rice exporters with interest and assured his full cooperation to resolve them.
To accelerate the process for rice export to Indonesia, he assured that he would arrange a meeting of Federal Commerce Minister and REAP to finalize this important matter. In the end, Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP presented REAP's memento to Governor Sindh.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017