Various matters relating to rice export trade were discussed. Rafique Suleman informed the meeting that rice trade got very good results following REAP rice conference held in November 2018 in Larkana as after the successful conference, a few rice exporters were working towards rice research & development and planned billions of rupees investment towards import of modern rice machinery and equipment.
"A number of exporters have already imported millions of rupees latest and modern rice machinery and equipment such as harvester to improve farm practices and rice production. With these efforts we will be able to overcome gaps in the supply chain and with the improved farm practices, rice exporters will get good crop," he added.
Suleman said rice export target of over $2 billion was achieved successfully during FY19. He said that Kenya, which has been the largest destination for Pakistani non-Basmati rice, faced some issues last year. However, Suleman was hopeful that rice export from Pakistan to Kenya will increase during this fiscal year.
REAP's trade delegations should be sent to West African countries, Azerbaijan and Jordan and other countries to explore new markets, he said.
Suleman thanked all participants for attending this meeting and congratulated the newly Un-opposed elected Members of Managing Committee and nominated Office Bearers for the tenure 2019-2020 for Shahjahan Malik as Chairman REAP, Muhammad Raza Amjad as Senior Vice Chairman and Abdul Wali Khan as Vice Chairman REAP.
During the meeting Abdul Rahim Janoo appreciated the services of Muslim Muhammedi Vice President FPCCI for the patronage and betterment of rice export trade.
He suggested a committee led by Muslim Muhammad along with Safdar Mehkri, Rafique Suleman, Muhammad Raza and Faisal Anis to resolve rice trade related issues.
REAP Chairman Safdar Mehkri drew the attention of the committee towards gaps in the rice value chain and urged them to put the own house in order. He suggested to give preference in REAP delegations to those members who are doing value addition in rice export trade.
He was of the view the all agricultural sectors were facing same challenges, however, the government is appreciating rice export sector for its due role in fetching valuable foreign exchange without any financial subsidy from the government.
Muslim Muhammad Vice President FPCCI said that Safdar Mehkri Chairman REAP and Rafique Suleman former chairman REAP are putting their best efforts to improve rice export sector. He assured his full cooperation to resolve the issues and problems of rice export sector.