KARACHI: The Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Rafique Suleman has demanded Federal government to immediately release the grant of Rs 26 billion in share of “Export Development Funds” and to makes efforts in order to establish “Rice Technical Institute”, adding that the government should announce to allot free of cost land for establishing “Rice Technical Institute”.
He made this demand while addressing 7th Rice Export Trophy Programme, organized by REAP in a local hotel here on Tuesday.
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain, Federal Minister for Commerce & Textile Khurram Dastagir, Senior Vice-President FPCCI Abdul Rahim Janoo and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, the Chairman REAP warned that export of rice could not be reached up to expected revenue target of $4 billion, if proper attention on research technology of sowing new rice crops could not be paid timely.
On the occasion, Chairman REAP Rafique Suleman regretted that the previous governments did not paid any attention towards exploring new markets of exporting Pakistani rice and due to this exporters of rice are facing hardships in order to export their products into international markets.
He further said that previous governments were adopted an attitude of step-mother with the exporters, who intend to increase the exports of the country, adding that the present government should take effective steps in order to restore the confidence of exporters on the polices of the present government.
Chairman REAP stressed upon releasing an amount of Rs 136 billion in share of “Export Development Funds” (EDF) and refunds to the exporters, so that the exports of the country could be increased at some extent.
Rafique Suleman further informed the President and other government authorities that the Kenya has imposed $ 200 per ton duty on import of Pakistani rice into its country, which witnesses significant decline in the export of rice trend to Kenya from 12000 to 3000 tones, as previously the import duty on Pakistani rice was stood at $110 per ton.
Chairman REAP further said that the rice industry in Pakistan is facing severe crises and needs immediate attention of the authorities concerned in order to boost the exports of the country.
On the occasion, he further urged the President of Pakistan and Prime Minister to take the office-bearers of Rice Exporters’ Association (REAP) on board on their foreign trips, so that the export of rice could be bolster.
Later, the President Mamnoon Hussain and Federal Minister Khurram Dastagir assured the resolution of the issues faced by the export community.
