Basmati rice thru GI tag: REAP vows to foil Indian conspiracy of claiming exclusive rights

LAHORE: The leadership of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has vowed to foil the Indian conspiracy of claiming exclusive rights to "Basmati Rice" through Geographical Indication (GI) tag and said that Basmati variety was, is and will remain of Pakistan.

The REAP members expressed these views while addressing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association here last night where its new Chairman Abdul Qayum Paracha, Senior Vice Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir and others assumed the office for the term 2020-21.

Abdul Qayum Paracha, the incoming Chairman, said that the rice sector of Pakistan is facing a threat from this Indian GI claim and they will work to thwart this plan as first priority.

He said that he will also be making efforts to get this sector declared as Industry, which is making huge exports and earning valuable foreign exchange for the country.

New Senior Vice Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir in his address said that there were three major goals before him during his tenure and that include foiling Indian design of claiming GI rights on Basmati, sending at least six delegations to explore new markets and getting status of industry for the rice export sector.

Abdur Rahim Janoo, veteran rice exporters leader, in his address said that the government should give the REAP chairman a seat in the Export Development Fund (EDF) as member. He said that money should be allocated to the Association out of EDF for carrying out research and development to increase per acre yield and attain more exportable surplus, construction of REAP House, etc.

Outgoing REAP Chairman Shahjahan Malik in his address threw light on the efforts made during his tenure despite the lockdown to enhance rice exports from Pakistan.

"We managed to triple the exports to Europe in wake of the ban on Indian rice and mapped rice fields in Punjab with the government help to analyze pesticides residue here and guide farmer about remedial measures," he added.

He said that rice planters and harvesters got included in the agri emergency plan to prevent post harvest losses and made efforts to export Basmati to Japan.

Meanwhile, the members of the Managing Committee from north zone declared elected unopposed include Malik Faisal Jahangir, Ali Hussam Asghar, Jahanzeb Javed, Ahmad Mubarak and Zulfiqar Ali. From South Zone, Abdul Qayum Paracha, Muhammad Anwar, Safder Hussain Mehkri, Mahesh Raja Manglani and Syed Abdul Mateen were declared elected unopposed.

Pir Syed Nazim Hussain Shah, Ali Hussam Asghar, Samee Ullah Naeem, Chaudhry Shafique, Abu Bakar Mirza and various other prominent exporters attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020