The export performance by rice sector has been confirmed by the revised figures released by Export Promotion Bureau/Ministry of Commerce. According to these figures, rice exports from July to April (2004-05) amounted to $718 million, against the whole year's target of $665 million. However, Reap figures show the exports at over $750 million for the same period. This year's exports, in comparison with last year for the same period, are 41 percent more in value terms. In the circumstances it is expected that rice exports for 2004-05 might exceed $850 million.
Najaf Hussain Shah, Chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), while talking to Business Recorder here on Tuesday, said that the target of joining the $1 billion exports club would be achieved in 2006, although the commitment given by him on behalf of Reap to President Pervez Musharraf was that it would be achieved by 2007.
The aforesaid achievement would not have been possible without the positive and constructive policies of the present government, particularly the vision of the President General Pervez Musharraf, coupled with the hard work and the devotion of the Reap members, he said.
The co-operation and team work of REAP, MINCOM, EPB and the Pakistan High Commission enabled to convince the East African countries (EAC) ie Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to reduce the import duty from 75 percent to 35 percent (as existed previously). This decision was taken in the meeting of EAC Finance Ministers on May 14, 2005 held in Tanzania, a fact officially confirmed by the letter issued by Javad Anwar Khan DG EPB Karachi on May 31, 2005.
Reap is specially grateful to the Minister for Commerce, EPB Chairman and the Pakistani High Commissioner as well as the Kenyan High Commissioner in Islamabad for taking personal interest in the matter, he added.
In the meeting held on Tuesday between Najaf Hussain Shah and EPB Chairman Tariq Ikram, which was also attended by Mohammad Hanif, Member, Reap Managing Committee and the biggest exporter of Basmati Rice, various issues relating to the rice trade were discussed in detail, including the recommendations of Reap for the trade policy 2005-06 and the budget proposals.
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