Meeting of REAP & TDAP to Increase Rice Exports

A delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) led by Choudhary Samee Ullah Naeem had a meeting with Dr. Syed Javaid Akhter, Director General, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Today at TDAP Office Karachi. Mr. Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP along with Pir Syed Nazim Hussain Shah and Mr. Abdul Karim Memon, Director TDAP were also present during the meeting.

Ch. Samee Ullah Naeem, Chairman REAP has informed that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their untiring efforts towards the growth of Pakistan’s economy. He therefore, urged TDAP to look into the issues and problems of rice exporters and support REAP to resolve the same. He disapprove TDAP’s proposal for Mandatory Pre Shipment Inspection of every rice shipment. He was of the view that due to this step, cost of rice exporters will not only increased, but also the relations between the exporters and their buyers will be affected. He added that such condition is no long implemented internationally in our competitors such as India, Thailand and Vietnam and also there is no mandatory condition in other export sectors of Pakistan. Therefore, this matter should be left on the disposal of exporters and importers mutual understanding. He also opposed any steps which lead to Government Intention in this free trade. He urged TDAP to improve the Pakistani stalls at international food exhibitions, as our members have reservation on location of stalls, their making and quality. He informed REAP’s proposals of distributing Biryani during Gulf Food as well as to organize an Award distribution ceremony for major rice importers and for this purpose we have also arranged a meeting with Federal Commerce Minister next week.

Mr. Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP informed that Pakistani rice is not included in the tender of Qatar’s grain procurement body, Central Tender Committee (CTC). He was hopeful that after the inclusion of Pakistani rice in next CTC tender, rice exports to Qatar will be increased by approx. 25,000 M/Tons amounting to approx. $12.5 Million. He urged TDAP to take urgent steps to include Pakistani rice in CTC next tender. He also requested TDAP to issue notification to authorize REAP to issue Certificate of Origin for rice shipments. He also informed that REAP has the plans to send various trade delegations for the marketing and promotion of Pakistani rice and requested TDAP to extend support for REAP’s trade delegations.

Dr. Syed Javaid Akhter, DG, TDAP assured REAP delegation for his full support to resolve all the issues. He also announced to make a joint committee of TDAP and REAP which will have meeting on monthly basis and sit together to propose indicative floor prices of rice varieties, so that Pakistani rice exporters may get better prices for their products.