KARACHI (March 23 2004): Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has approached the government to purchase rice godowns at Pipri for creating a 'rice zone' with godowns and processing units at one place.

These godowns originally belonged to defunct Rice Export Corporation of Pakistan and are now under the control of Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

Former chairman of Reap, Abdul Rahim Janoo, said here on Monday that he had requested Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali at a meeting on March 3 that these godowns would be made useful if sold to Reap at market price.

"The Prime Minister has kindly agreed with the proposal and a two-member delegation of high officials, including Additional Secretary, Prime Minister Secretariat Shaukat Hayat Durrani, and Joint Secretary Ministry of Commerce Abrar-ul-Haq will visit and inspect these godowns on March 24," Janoo said.

He said that a meeting will be held at TCP head office the same day to take a decision whether to sell these godowns to Reap.

"We will buy these godowns at market rates, and have made a request to allow this purchase on deferred payment for ten years' period" he added

Janoo said that Pipri godowns are spread over an area of 600 acres, and there are 18 rice mills in the area.

This land will be utilised for setting up milling units, processing plant and godowns for storage of rice for export purposes.

"We will make direct shipment from Pipri to Port Qasim and avoid congestion in the city which has been caused due to shipments via Karachi Port," he said.

He said that all trucks from upcountry and interior of Sindh will come directly to Pipri area and discharge their loads without entering the city.

He said that Reap would distribute this land among its members, on payment, for setting up modern processing mills, rice milling units and warehouses.

Janoo said that currently rice processing mills and warehouses are scattered in various parts of the city and exporters are facing problems in the storage of rice and its processing.

Courtesy Business Recorder