Rice exporters eye Kenyan market

KARACHI: Kenya's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Nyambura Kamau, met with the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) in Karachi on Tuesday, to discuss ways to enhance trade and economic ties between the two countries.

The REAP hosted a reception for Kamau and her team at REAP House Karachi, where they exchanged views on the current issues and opportunities in the bilateral trade, especially in the rice sector.

REAP Chairman Chela Ram Kewlani said Pakistan had always been a reliable and trustworthy supplier of rice and had played a significant role in food security, particularly in the African region.

He contrasted Pakistan's consistent rice exports with India's occasional restrictions, and

said Kenya was Pakistan's largest trading partner in Africa, while Pakistan was one of the top importers of Kenyan tea.

Kewlani said there were still significant opportunities to strengthen the bilateral trade further, and hoped that the High Commissioner's visit would be a valuable asset in achieving that goal.

Former Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo said Kenya was one of the most important markets for Pakistani rice, and the two countries had enjoyed excellent and long-standing trading relations.

REAP Kenya Committee Convener Rafique Suleman briefed the audience about the current issues faced by Pakistani rice exporters while exporting to Kenya, and requested the High Commissioner's assistance in resolving them.

The Kenyan High Commissioner said she would work with the relevant authorities in her country to address the issues raised by the Pakistani rice exporters. The envoy said she was keen to promote mutual trade and economic cooperation between Kenya and Pakistan, and to explore new avenues of collaboration.