KARACHI (March 21 2004): Pakistani exporters will purchase 500,000 tons of IRRI rice if needed to cater to the existing buyers of rice to earn additional foreign exchange of more than $125 million for the country.

This was stated by the leader of delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) to India Abdul Rahim Janoo, while addressing a press conference after his return from Mumbai on Saturday. Deputy leader Javed Anis was also present on the occasion.

Janoo said that the Reap had set a target to export one million tons of IRRI rice this year. "But the country is facing shortage of coarse rice and we have negotiated with Indian rice exporters to buy rice for re-export," he added.

He said that this year, the middle men have resorted to hoarding for profiteering and the prices of IRRI-6 have increased from Rs 9 to Rs 13.50 per kilogram, showing a 50 percent rise in the prices.

He said that under this situation, rice exporters have sustained losses of millions of rupees to fulfil the commitments with the buyers.

SUCCESSFUL VISIT: Talking about the visit to India, Janoo said that it was very successful and paved way for the expanded co-operation between Pakistani and Indian rice exporters for mutual benefit.

He said that the Reap has undertaken this visit on the instructions of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to increase co-operation between the rice exporters of both the countries.

He thanked the prime minister, commerce minister and Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi for extending all the support in making appointments with top Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Deputy Premier L K Advani, and business organisations.

JOINT FIGHT: He said that the Reap and All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) have signed a memorandum of understanding for jointly fighting the case of protecting Basmati rice heritage of Pakistan and India in the US market.

He said that Reap and AIREA would work together for the promotion of Basmati rice in various parts of the globe.

Janoo said that Pakistani rice exporters would buy about 10 plants worth $1million for rice processing from India.

Similarly, Pakistani rice exporters will buy 10 skimming plants worth

$0.4million for aging Basmati rice to increase value addition.

Chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association Anis Majeed said that a vast potential existed for the export of Pakistani pulses to India. He said that some Pakistani exporters have already secured orders for the export of 3,000 tons of moong and gram pluses. He said the Indian government has approved the quality of these pulses.

Courtesy Business Recorder