Govt bets big on rice, targets $10bn exports

April 14, 2026 (MLN):  The government has urged rice exporters to set an ambitious $10 billion export target, while initiating wide-ranging reforms to improve port efficiency, reduce costs, and facilitate trade growth.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, during a visit to the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), was accompanied by Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed, where REAP Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir briefed the delegation on the sector’s performance.

 He described the rice industry as a $4 billion sector targeting $5 billion in exports and outlined plans to expand cultivation to nearly 30 million acres, according to a press release issued.

Addressing the meeting, the minister emphasized that shifting regional dynamics have opened new opportunities for Pakistani ports and said the government is prioritizing trade facilitation over revenue generation. He assured exporters of full support from his ministry and port authorities to boost competitiveness.

Highlighting recent initiatives, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry noted the introduction of roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) services, permission for bulk cargo shipments, and regulatory changes allowing the disposal of old consignments. He added that demurrage charges on auctioned containers have been waived to ease port congestion, while feeder vessel services have also been launched.

In a first for the country, port operations continued uninterrupted during Eid holidays, with 16 vessels handled. The minister also pointed to new measures such as allowing less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo handling and amendments to TIR regulations to streamline transit trade.

Emphasizing Pakistan’s strategic location, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the launch of bunkering services at Karachi Port for large vessels in deep-sea waters, estimating a trade potential of Rs300 billion.

He further revealed that dredging work at Karachi Port is underway and expected to be completed within three months, reducing vessel turnaround time from seven days to two and generating economic benefits of Rs30–40 billion.

Separately, the KPT chairman highlighted a 60% reduction in port charges and the removal of demurrage fees as part of efforts to lower costs and support the business community.

Copyright Mettis Link News