Minister praises REAP for promoting products abroad

LAHORE: Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik has appreciated the role of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) for promoting the country’s products in the international market, a statement said on Saturday.

This he said in response to the biggest international annual food exhibition, “International Buyers Recognition Trophy 2018” organised by REAP at ‘Gulf Food’ Dubai.

Malik said that presence of thousands of visitors at the Pakistan Pavilion is the proof of their trust in Pakistani products.

The awards have helped attract investment from the international market. This will facilitate in bringing the investment back to Pakistan, he said.

“I extend full support from Pakistan government to REAP in serving the national interests,” he added.

REAP Chairman Samee Ullah Naeem thanked the distinguished guests and said that REAP would keep contributing to the development of rice industry with scientifically designed marketing solutions.

The start of 2018 spells out the next phase of rice export journey, he added.

Naeem said that such awards would promote soft image of the country, besides winning the loyalty and trust of the international buyers. Pakistani rice exports to several major countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and to the European and African markets continue to see a decent rise, he said.

“We are confident that our focus on new markets with more value addition will give us better returns as compared to our traditional exports,” he added.

Later, UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan presented the awards along with federal Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik, Ambassador of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi Moazzam Khan, Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mahmood and REAP Chairman Samee Ullah Naeem.

The worlds’ top 30 buying companies of Pakistani rice were presented the “International Buyers Recognition Trophy 2018”, including Herba Rice (The World’s biggest Rice Grain Miller), Soufflet Alimantaris (France); Noushad Trading (Kenyan biggest buyer); Louis Dreyfus (3.5 million tons rice buyer across world); Tilda (World’s best basmati brand); Phoenix Commodity; Tawakkali (Iran's second biggest buyer) and Thai Hua Rice Company (Thailand) etc.

The first-ever prestigious trophy awards of the Pakistani exporters was also participated by more than 100 international buyers, ambassadors, representatives of different departments of Gulf states, representatives of different government departments, including TDAP, federal ministry of food security officials, and provincial agriculture department.