Karachi – The third meeting of the Rice Exports Committee of the Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) was held at Federation House Karachi, which was chaired by the convener of the Rice Exports Committee of the FPCCI, former chairman REA Rafiq Sulaiman. of FPCCI Vice Presidents Shabbir Mansha, Haji Muhammad Yaqoob, Shaukat Ali Sulaiman, former Senior Vice President FPCCI Abdul Rahim Janu and Chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (AP) Chela Ram Kewalani were also present on this occasion. were Speaking at the event, Shabbir Hassan Mansha said that kazakhstan has emerged as a new market and direct flights are starting here from the month of April, due to which the export of Pakistani rice can be increased in this market.
He appealed to the Chairman REAP and other officials that a high-level trade delegation should visit kazakhstan so that Pakistani rice exports can increase significantly. Convener of Rice Exports Committee Rafiq Sulaiman said in his speech that due to the current situation, rice exports have decreased as you all know that 40% of the rice crop has been affected due to floods in Sindh. Due to this, the export of non-basmati rice has decreased by 15%. He appealed to the officials of FPCCI to give suggestions to the government so that the export of rice which is suffering at present can be improved and we can meet our export target. Rafiq Sulaiman said that in the 8th month of this year, the export of basmati rice has decreased by 25% while the export of non-basmati has decreased by 29%. Pakistani rice is exported to 116 countries around the world, the current situation in which electricity , due to non-availability of gas, increasing price of petrol exporters are suffering a lot and they are loosening their market, I strongly appeal to the government of Pakistan to pay special attention to the export industry so that Exporters can export more. Rafiq Sulaiman added that there is a great demand for 386 Pakistani rice in Somalia, soon a trade delegation of rice exporters will also go to Somalia to increase the export of Pakistani rice. In his address, Abdul Rahim Janu described the current economic situation as extremely dangerous and said that if the same situation remains, there may be a huge decrease in exports, which will also significantly decrease the country’s foreign exchange. He said that after Eid-ul-Fitr, FPCCI and REAP will jointly organize a biryani festival in which ambassadors, commercial attachés, government officials of all countries will be invited. The aim is to highlight the importance of Pakistani rice. Dishes made from different varieties of rice will be prepared in the festival. Chairman REAP Chela Ram Keulani said that both imports and exports have been badly affected due to the rise and fall of the dollar at the moment, 25- in a single day. 28 rupees to the dollar goes up and down, the government has increased the interest rate, the business community is also facing a lot of difficulties, in this situation, how will we increase the income. He said that we have written many letters to the Governor of State Bank for the meeting, but there is no response from him and we are not being given time to meet. We strongly appeal to the government of Pakistan to increase rice exports. Sit down with us so that we can give them our suggestions in increasing the revenues which we have already given them. In the meeting, all officials assured their full cooperation and said that we will fully support REAP to increase rice exports at all levels.
