BEIJING (February 08 2004): Pakistan has formally approached the Chinese government seeking quarantine certificate to introduce its high quality rice in that market.

A senior Pakistani official told APP here they are negotiating with the Chinese side to get permission as soon as possible.

"We are confident that Pakistan's rice can find a big market in China, since its quality is much better than the rice which is currently being imported from Thailand. We see good prospects, especially for basmati rice," he said.

Some Chinese companies have already shown interest to buy Pakistani rice, he added.

With the improvement of living standard in China, there is a growing trend to eat imported and good quality rice. China has purchased about 3004000 tonnes Thai rice last year. The Chinese government announced this week that import of rice would increase due to its declining production in the past four years. The country's rice reserve has dropped dramatically.

According to sources, China will encourage import of rice and grain in the coming years, while cutting down on export subsidies to local producers. Imports of cotton and oil-yielding plants will also increase, as domestic supply cannot meet the demand.

The demand for cotton in the coming year is expected to be 6.5 million tonnes, 1.6 million tonnes more than domestic production. Experts predict cotton imports will hit 1.4 million tonnes.

A Chinese official said that China is engaged in reinforcing the hygienic quarantine system covering imported agricultural products, such as animals and plants, to ensure that no alien disease or pest comes to China.

A detailed regulation on labelling genetically modified food and plants will be promulgated. Government departments at all levels would strictly control such products to reduce possibility of damage to the environment, he added.

Courtesy Business Recorder