During the meeting, Rafique Suleman apprised Sri Lankan CG regarding a communication received from Pakistani High Commission in Colombo, wherein it was recommended to send a REAP delegation on an urgent basis, as Sri Lanka is facing shortage of rice. He said Pakistan has a good quality crop of Basmati and Irri-6 rice and can export good quantity of rice at competitive prices. Therefore, it has decided to send a 15-member delegation to Sri Lanka in December 2017 for the promotion and marketing of Pakistani rice, he added.
During the visit, the delegation will have meetings with President of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ministers for Trade, Commerce, Transport, etc, as well as officials of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce & National Chamber of Commerce, Colombo and leading rice importers. "We will also discuss increase in the Basmati rice quota which is stagnant at 6,000 MT for many years," Suleman said.
Abdul Rahim Janoo said during the visit, REAP will also organize a Biryani Festival in Colombo and the diplomatic officials of various countries deputed at Colombo as well as officials of concerned ministries and chambers of commerce and leading rice buyers will be invited to this festival. He said that previously REAP has already organized such Festivals in many countries.
He also invited the Consul General of Sri Lanka to accompany REAP delegation which he accepted. The Consul General assured his full support to make this visit a great success. He was ready to send letters to Sri Lankan authorities to fix meetings with REAP delegation. Rafique Suleman also extended his gratitude to the Sri Lankan CG and hoped that after the successful visit of this delegation, export of Pakistani Basmati and Irri-6 rice will get a significant boost and fetch foreign exchange for the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017