To lure orders, REAP to send delegation to three countries

Will discuss possibilities to increase rice exports

KARACHI: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) is going to send a high-profile trade delegation to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines, said REAP Senior Vice Chairman Rafique Suleman on Saturday.

Speaking at a meeting with REAP managing committee members and leading rice exporters, he briefed the participants about the recent development during the event of Gulf Food and REAP’s International Buyers Award, Dubai. He expressed hope that this event will play a vital role in future for the betterment of rice export trade.

The participants decided to send a trade delegation to Indonesia, which will have meetings with BULOG - Indonesian state-owned body responsible for rice procurement - and concerned government ministries for the possibilities to increase the share of Pakistani rice.

Moreover, it has also decided to send a delegation to the Philippines, which will have meeting with the Officials of National Food Authority (NFA) and concerned ministries for the possibilities to increase rice exports of Pakistan to the Philippines.

REAP’s managing committee has also decided to send a high-profile delegation to Sri Lanka for the follow-up of a recent visit by REAP to Sri Lanka, in which we have requested Sri Lankan authorities for reduction of import duties on Pakistani long grain rice.

During the meeting rice exporters informed REAP office bearers about the challenged faced by rice export trade in important rice buying countries, such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippine, Saudi Arabia etc.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2018.

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