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 24th, 2010.
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 24th, 2010.