Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industries, Production and Investment, Abdul Razzak Dawood Saturday said Pakistan seeks Chinese support for exports and agricultural growth instead of power and road infrastructure projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Addressing a gathering of businessmen and rice exporters hosted by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Razzak said as the challenges of all commodities are almost the same, we are seeking support from friendly countries to improve the crop yield. Japan has already agreed to extend support for increase in crop yield, particularly rice.
"We don't want more power plants and road infrastructure projects under the CPEC. What we need from China is support for agricultural and export sector," he added. He said Pakistan's rice export posted a healthy growth during last few years reaching $ 2 billion up from $300 million and this is because of the visionary leadership of the REAP people. "I believe that with a visionary leadership and the government support, Pakistan's rice export can hit $5 billion mark," he maintained.
Razzak assured REAP to incorporate rice sector in zero-rated sectors to facilitate exporters. "We will try to add rice into the basket of zero rated sectors so that exporters of rice could get more benefits," he said. He said Pakistani companies have great potential and can perform much better than international companies, but there is need for encouraging and supporting these companies. "We must introduce our brands across the world to promote Pakistani products and increase exports," he added.
He assured REAP of full support for promotion of rice exports, adding that there is need for coordinated efforts to increase the country's exports and bring more foreign inflows into the country. Earlier, Safdar Hussain Mehkari, Chairman REAP and Arif Nadeem, Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Agricultural Coalition (PAC) briefed Razzak about rice exports and presented recommendations for their promotion.
They said Pakistan's rice exports posted a phenomenal growth during last many years and after achieving $2 billion exports, now we are eying $5 billion exports. Former chairmen of REAP, Rafique Suleman, Abdul Rahim Janoo and others also spoke on the occasion.