Paddy exports: Iranian traders discuss rice purchase

Review food safety mechanism in place in the country.

LAHORE: Pakistan produces fine-quality rice which could cater to the huge demand of Iranian market, said the rice importers of Iran in an interactive meeting with exporters here on Friday.

A delegation of the Iranian Rice Importers Association also visited various paddy fields and processing units in Punjab.

Talking to the delegates, Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir said the government would provide necessary assistance to the Iranian importers to enhance trade in rice and other food commodities.

In their meeting with the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), the importers discussed the possibility of exploring new opportunities of rice purchase from Pakistan.

They also visited laboratories of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in Lahore, where they inspected the facilities available for rice standardisation and other health-related issues pertaining to rice products.

Both parties talked about the precautionary measures and food safety mechanism in place in the country.

During their meeting with banking authorities, the delegates raised the issue of banking transactions between the two countries and emphasised the need for a smooth payment mechanism.

Pakistan being the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world has the potential to increase exports to Iran. The Iranian delegation’s visit was facilitated by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2014.

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