BY ATTAUL MUJEEB ZEESHAN
Lahore: Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Wednesday protested against Cabinet’s decision to ban export of all edible, has urged the government to withdraw the decision immediately otherwise it would hit the economy hard.
The demand was raised at an urgent meeting of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry Mian Anjum Nisar, LCCI Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, Chairman REAP Shah Jahan Malik, Pir Syed Nazim Hussain Shah and others spoke on the occasion.
They said that ban on export of all edible items is quite unwise, illogical and anti-business move. It would hit the rice sector of Pakistan hard that is earning 2.2 billion US dollars annually in shape of foreign exchange for the country.
They said that rice is not Pakistan staple food. “This year, we have produced 7.5 million tons of rice”, they said and added that domestic consumption is 2.9 million tons per annum. 0.6 million tons is used as feed for poultry sector, 0.8 million tons were carried over from last year. Wo we were surplus by 4.8 million tons of Rice crop this year.
They said that so far we have exported 3.1 million tons in 9 months till 31 March. New crop planting will start in mid May to 15 July & new crop will be available after 4 and half months. We are left with 2.1 million tons at the moment. Till arrival of new crop, in next 5 months, we need 0.9 million tons. It definitely means we are surplus by almost 1.2 million tons of Rice. They said that Pakistan is a responsible state and has never banned rice export even in worst crisis of 2007.2008 when even India put a ban.
They demanded of the government to withdraw the decision immediately that is bound to play a havoc with the Rice sector of Pakistan besides eating up employment of millions of people.
