ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: The Commerce Minister, Abdul Razak Dawood said on Friday the government was planning to evolve long-term viable, international competitive, qualitative and efficient wheat export procedures with the help of private sector.

The minister stated this in his opening remarks while chairing a meeting of leading wheat exporters and millers. The meting was convened to seek proposal for export of surplus wheat.

The meeting was also attended by Minister for Privatisation Altaf M. Saleem and Minister for Food and Agriculture, Khair Muhammad Junejo.

Abdul Razak Dawood said that the government had already announced a number of incentives like soft loans, removal of controls and deregulation of procurement/storage in wheat sector.

The Minister was of the view that rich potentials existed in the Far Eastern South African and Gulf States for the export of our wheat and its by-products.

The need of the hour is that the growers, exporters and millers should join hands to augment the government’s efforts for establishing credible wheat export market, he added.

Food and Agriculture Minister, Khair Muhammad Junejo said that soft loans at 12 per cent to flour millers and wheat exporters have already been announced by the State Bank and a number of other government controls have been removed except for efficient monitoring.

He further said PASSCO has been directed to procure half a million tons of wheat on the start of procurement season each year for Export purposes.

Minister for Privatization, Altaf M. Saleem said that the government is trying to bring in private sector in its major exports and only regulatory role is being played by the government.—APP