This is to inform all members of print and electronic media that Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP along with Altaf Hussain Shaikh, Secretary REAP had a meeting Thursday with Toshikazu Isomura, Consul General of Japan at his good office.

During the discussions, Rafique Suleman apprised him about the rice crop of Pakistan and export figure of Pakistani rice and informed him that Pakistan has around 6.5 Million Tons annual production of rice and exports approx. US$ 2 Billion to more than 100 countries of the world.

Further, he informed that since last many years, rice export trade has been facing severe decline and REAP has been working with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Ministry of Commerce for the betterment of rice export trade and this year good results are coming after several steps.

He added that rice exports to Japan is very negligible and REAP is planning to send a trade delegation to Japan for the marketing and promotion of Pakistani rice and requested H.E. Consul General for his assistance.

H.E. Consul General of Japan informed that around 100,000 citizens from South Asian countries (Pakistan, India, Nepal etc) are living in Japan and REAP must take steps for increase of Pakistani basmati rice.

He added that bilateral trade between both the countries is around US$ 2 Billion and still there is a good potential to increase. However, trade balance is in favour of Japan and Government of Pakistan must take steps to increase the export trade to Japan.

Rafique Suleman informed him that REAP will coordinate with Embassy of Pakistan in Japan as well as TDAP and initiate working to send a trade delegation to Japan to increase Pakistan’s market share in Japan. H.E. Consul General of Japan has assured his support to REAP in this regard