KARACHI, Nov 5: The export of rice has been affected with the imposition of war risk surcharge, withholding tax, labour surcharge, interest cash and above all fluctuation of exchange rates 4 to 5 per cent, which all together brought the dollar down, ultimately affecting framers and growers.

This was stated by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo, who called on Iftikhar Ali Malik, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Monday.

During the meeting he apprised the FPCCI president about the problems being faced by the rice exporters under the present circumstances. He

said that export of rice was declining due to absence of long-term policy.

He said that the SBP governor had given assurance that rice exporters would have the facility of export refinancing in the US dollar but no such facility was being provided by any bank on the pretext that they had not yet received any circular or directive from the State Bank.

The Reap members emphasized on the need that government should announce long-term policy so that Pakistani exporters could survive in the tough competition particularly with India, which is facilitating its exporters by giving them heavy subsidy. The members said in order to promote rice exports the withholding tax may be fixed at 0.75 per cent instead of 1.25 per cent. They said that the war risk surcharge was uncalled for as the ports of Pakistan are functioning in routine.

The Reap members also said that they were not getting their due share from EDF date to which their programme of delegation to foreign countries and R and D were not being materialized.

Earlier, Iftikhar Ali Malik while welcoming the delegation assured that the FPCCI will take up all the problems of Reap at all levels and will make necessary recommendation to the ministry concerned. Malik said that FPCCI would urge upon the government for the long-term policy for export of rice.—APP