Addressing the first meeting of FPCCI Standing Committee on Rice at the Federation House, Suleman said that international scenario for Pakistan rice is positive and with aggressive marketing Pakistan can enhance its rice exports.
The first meeting of the rice committee attended by S M Muneer, Abdul Rahim Janoo, former chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President FPCCI, Safder Mehkri, Reap, Jawed Jillani, Muhammad Raza, Members of Reap's Managing Committee along with prominent rice exporters, Muzammil Chappal, Mahesh Talreja, Faisal Anis Majeed, Fuad Garib, Salman Paracha and a large numbers of rice exporters. Various matters related to rice export trade were discussed.
Suleman informed the meeting that Reap has decided to arrange Biryani festivals at domestic as well as international level for promotion of Pakistani Basmati rice and explore new export markets.
Reap is going to organize a grand Biryani festival at Sindh Governor House this month. Second festival is being planned in South Africa by the end of this month. Another grand Biryani festival will also be arranged at FPCCI for all diplomats to promote Pakistani rice, he added.
Suleman said Reap is closely working with federal government to enhance rice export and earn more foreign exchange for the country. As part of these efforts and the consistent efforts of Reap and Ministry of Commerce, Indonesia has offered market access to Pakistani rice and in this regard a notification has already been issued, he added.
He said trade delegations of rice exporters will visit various countries for the promotion and marketing of Pakistani rice.
S M Munir said that he always gave preference to rice export trade which is the 2nd largest trade of Pakistan. He assured all rice exporters that FPCCI will continue to support and resolve all the issues related to rice export trade.
Abdul Rahim Janoo said at Johannesburg Biryani festival all the diplomats in South Africa as well as large number of rice importers will be invited to promote Pakistani rice.
He was hopeful that after this event, rice export to South Africa will take a boost as South Africa is a major market for parboiled rice - approximately one million tons, wherein Pakistan's share is negligible.
Safder Mehkri, Chairman Reap informed the participants about the recent activities of Reap. He said after the success of rice conference at Larkana, Reap is working on projects that will lead to doubling the rice production in five years.
"We are hopeful that till 2023, we will be able to increase rice exports to $ 5 billion," he added. He said support of provincial and federal governments will be instrumental in achieving the target.
Later, Rafique Suleman thanked all the participants for attending the meeting and sharing valuable suggestions for promotion of rice trade.