In order to encourage foreign buyers, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has organized one of its kind "International Buyers' Recognition Awards ceremony in Dubai. The award ceremony was held during the international exhibition "Gulf Food 2018" and some 31 leading rice buyers from UAE, France, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya, Iran, Oman, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, EU Countries, Netherlands, Germany and Panama were awarded with recognition awards.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Scientific Research, UAE and Federal Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik were the chief guests. Moazzam Ahmed Khan Ambassador of Pakistan in UAE, Ghazanfar Bilour President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Muhammad Mahmood Khan Secretary Agriculture Government of Punjab and leading rice exporters of Pakistan were also present.
Pervaiz Malik expressed his pleasure and congratulated the office-bearers and REAP team for organizing the award ceremony, which has never been organized before. He was sure that this event will be very instrumental in strengthening the relationship between Pakistani rice exporters and their buyers. This event will also broadcast the soft image of Pakistanis in international community.
The minister also assured REAP for his support for the betterment of rice export trade and achieve $ 2 billion exports during this fiscal year.
Shaikh Nahyan said Pakistan and UAE are enjoying very deep and cordial relationship with each other. There is a good potential for Pakistani businessmen in UAE and the UAE government will facilitate Pakistani business community in UAE for their business activities, he added.
Ch Samiullah, Chairman REAP during his address of welcome appreciated the support of international buyers of Pakistani rice who stand with their Pakistani counterparts in the challenging conditions.
He said Pakistani rice has been exported to over 100 countries, which is also proved with the presence of leading buyers in this event. He expressed the hope that they will continue to extend their support with zeal in future. Rafique Suleman presented the vote of thanks to all dignitaries, leading rice buyers and REAP members for making this event a great success.
Prominent rice exporters who nominated their buyers included Ch Masood Iqbal, Jawed Ali Ghori, Fuad Garib, Shahjahan Malik, Mahmood Moulvi, Rashid Jan Muhammad, Ch. Muhammad Shafique, Abdullah Hashwani, Teka Mal, Noman Ahmed Shaikh, Shahid Tawawala, Imran Rasheed During the event, the REAP's memento was presented to both chief guests, in addition to a beautiful copy of the Holy Quran, which the Minister of UAE accepted with thanks and expressed his pleasure over this memorable gift.