Pak exporters concerned over Indian rice imports .

KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has said that import of Indian rice under the most favoured nation (MFN) status will have negative effects over Pakistani rice exporters.

UNISAME President Zulfikar Thaver in a statement on Friday invited the attention of Federal Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim to the negative effects of allowing import of Indian rice under the MFN status given to India and placing rice on the positive list of imports. Thaver said that rice had been placed on the positive list, which will have a negative impact.

“Our policy makers are always wise after the event and never study and examine the pros and cons before taking important decisions and do not bother to consult the stakeholders on such important issues,” he said.

It is a fact that Pakistan and India are competitors in rice exports and in case of basmati only Pakistan and India export basmati as no other country of the world is blessed with that variety, said Thaver.

“Pakistani traders have started importing Indian rice, although there is no shortage in the country either of basmati or non-basmati varieties, but due to the lack of comprehension our importers are attracted by the price difference and have diversified interest,” he said.

Thaver said as Pakistan is also catering to Afghanistan and Iran through the unofficial land routes supported by the border tribes, a lot of the imported rice will find its way to Afghanistan and Iran, but the burden of foreign exchange will be borne by Pakistan,” he said.

Source : thenews.com.pk