Rafique suleman, Senior Vice Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has issued an statement that recently a tender issued by Indonesian state owned body, BULOG, has been awarded to companies of different origins. In this regard, it has come to our knowledge that some Indian origin companies are trying to procure rice from Pakistani companies with the condition that there will not be any mark of produce of Pakistan shown in rice bags. This rice will be exported to BULOG Indonesia with Indian label, which is extremely against the law and we strongly condemn such act. In this regard, REAP has sent email letters to Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Chief Collector Custom (Enforcement), Collector Custom Exports and others so that preventive measures may be taken rightly.
He added that Pakistani rice export trade has come out of the crisis and REAP members are struggling and working day and night for the betterment of rice export trade. In this regard, a high profile REAP trade delegation will be visiting Mauritius from 18th March 2018, which is a very potential market for Basmati rice. During the visit, on Pakistan Day (23rd March 2018) with the support of Pakistan High Commission, REAP will organize Biryani Festival, in which various dishes made by Pakistani rice will be presented. A large number of dignitaries, Top government Officials as well as leading rice buyers will be invited in this event. We hope that the Biryani Festival will play a vital role to capture the rice market in Mauritius, as currently we are facing tough competition in this market.
Further, another high profile delegation will visit Royal Kingdome of Saudi Arabia in end April 2018, which is one of the largest buyers of Basmati rice. Annual import of Saudi Arabia is around 1.5 Million tons of rice amounting to approx US$1.5 Billion. Mr. Shehzad Ahmed Khan, Pakistani Commercial Consul at Jeddah & Dr. Muhammad Aamir, Commercial Attache at Riyadh are making arrangements for REAP delegation. Since last many years, Saudi Arabia is importing Parboiled and Steam rice, in which our competitor India has dominance. However, Pakistani rice exporters are making huge investment and installing latest and modern Parboiled and Steam plants and now we are capable of manufacturing best quality Parboiled and Steam rice. Additionally, leading and prominent Pakistani rice exporters are the part of REAP delegation and we are very confident that after this visit we will be able to re-capture our lost market share in Saudi markets.
