ISLAMABAD – Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Industries andProduction, Textile and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday said thatrice is the largest agro export commodity in the export basket of thecountry with a total export of over $ 2 billion, which will be increased upto $ 5 billion in coming five years.
The Adviser was holding a meeting with a delegation of Rice ExportsAssociation of Pakistan (REAP), led by its president Syed almas Hyder tochalk out policy proposals in order to enhance the export of rice up to of5 billion USD in next five years.
He appreciated all the proposals of REAP and ensured full cooperation ofMinistry of Commerce in this regard. He also advised the delegation tointroduce new varieties of rice to enhance production and quality byinvesting in Research and Development.
All bottlenecks regarding export of rice will be removed forthwith througheffective coordination and cooperation with all the relevant governmentministries and departments, the Adviser assured.
He mentioned that rice exports are on upward trajectory in China andIndonesia due to additional market access secured by the current government.
The Advisor stated that the government intends to take export to thehighest level ever. The government is taking different measures for exportenhancement including reclaiming traditional markets besides accessing tonew markets, he added.
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The President REAP appreciated the current government endeavors to boostexports of traditional and non-traditional products.
The REAP delegation presented various proposals to materialize theenvisaged target which include better farm practices, higher yields throughwater management, mechanical transplanting, drying and storage and BMR ofexisting rice mills.
The REAP delegation ensured that the rice would be exported as per qualityand standard to the markets like Iran, Qatar and China where additionalmarket access has been recently gained by Pakistan.
