No decrease in rice exports: Fahim

Federal Minister for Commerce tells assembly rice exports have not decreased, but increased over last 3 years.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim told the National Assembly on Thursday that rice exports have not decreased but have increased over the last three years.

In 2007-08, rice exports were valued at $1.8 billion and these rose to $2.2 billion in 2009-10, he said during question hour.

He said exports to top 20 destinations of Pakistani rice, which account for 75 per cent of shipments, increased from $1.36 billion in 2007-08 to $1.65 billion in 2009-10. Appreciating the export potential of rice, he said the commerce ministry has taken steps to enhance exports of the commodity.

Replying to a question on textile exports, Fahim said that $10.8 billion were earned by exporting textile products during 2009-10 while in the first five months of the current fiscal year, $4.01 billion worth of textile products were exported.

He said that the government has adopted a comprehensive strategy for restructuring and re-organisation of the textile sector and to deal with problems it has been facing.

Fahim informed the house that the commerce ministry would be organising a conference inviting all commercial officers deputed in embassies of different countries to help increase exports from the country. He said that commercial officers and businessmen would sit together to formulate a strategy and overcome the problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2010.