ISLAMABAD: National Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain warned rice exporters to respect quality standards as the European Union is very sensitive to this issue and warned that imports will be stopped.
“We need to proactively address these issues to ensure smooth export of rice,” Tanveer said while speaking to members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) in Karachi on Friday, according to a press release from the ministry in Islamabad on Friday.
Earlier, rice exporters expressed concerns to the minister about undue pressure from government institutions, including repeated calls for years-old records and being summoned to offices for unnecessary meetings, which was causing anxiety in the business community.
During the meeting, they called on the government to grant the sector industry status, noting that rice exports had reached between $2 billion and $4 billion. They also demanded permission for weighbridges at ports or negotiations with commercial weighbridge operators to obtain preferential rates.
Rana Tanveer acknowledged the concerns expressed by the rice exporters and assured them that the government will ask these institutions not to harass the exporters. The Federal Investigation Agency has already been asked to avoid unnecessary contacts with the business community. He acknowledged their concerns and assured them that they are a valuable asset to the nation.
Published in Amanecer, January 11, 2025.
