MoU inked to boost rice exports to Saudi

KARACHI: Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for long-term institutional collaboration between the two trade bodies, a statement received here on Monday said.

“Such visits are necessary to increase bilateral trade, commerce, and investment between both the countries and signing of this MoU would be a milestone towards achieving this objective,” Sheikh Mazen Mohammed Batterjee, vice chairman JCCI, told the signing ceremony held in Jeddah. 

Batterjee also assured Pakistani rice exporters of Jeddah chamber’s full support in achieving this goal of common good.  Speaking on the occasion, Shah Jahan Malik, vice chairman REAP, said he was upbeat that after the signing of the agreement Pakistan would be able to increase its exports to the Saudi market.

“The 14-member joint delegation of REAP and Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PSJCCI) is visiting Saudi Arabia from 11-19 May, 2017, as part of trade promotion activities to increase export of rice to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA),” the statement said.  It added that the delegation members visited the major super as well hypermarkets and held meetings with their top management. They also met with major Saudi rice importers of the western region, in one-on-one business networking session organised by the Consulate of Pakistan. 

“After the meeting, the Pakistan consulate hosted a biryani dinner for potential Saudi buyers with an aim to promote Pakistani rice, which is equally famous for its long-grain, aroma, and taste across the world,” the press release said.

Mian Mehmood, president PSJCCI, told the media that Saudi Arabia is our major trading partner in food sector and imports over $1 billion worth of rice every year. “Pakistani rice exporters should make the most of this opportunity to further increase the share of Pakistani rice in this market,” Mehmood said.   He added that the PSJCCI is playing a very vital role in promoting trade in all the sectors between the two brotherly countries. 

Appreciating the initiative taken by the REAP, Shehryar Akbar Khan, Consul General of Pakistan, said the country was constantly striving to improve its technological-agricultural capacity to increase volume of its rice exports in the face of stiff competition from its competitors.