March 11, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 7, 1424

KARACHI, March 10: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has urged Commerce Minister Humayun Akhter Khan to take up the issue of enhanced duty rates on rice with the Sri Lankan government.

In a letter addressed to the commerce minister, REAP chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo pointed out that Sri Lanka few months back allowed the private sector to import rice and reduced the import duty on rice from Rs7 per kg to Rs5.

As a result of reduction in import duty, he said, there was substantial increase in rice export, particularly of Irri-6, and monthly shipment to Sri Lanka averaged around 6,500 tons during last few months, as compared to mere 300-400 tons during the period before duty reduction.

However, Sri Lanka has again increased the import duty from Rs5 per kg to Rs7 from March 10, 2003. This will give a blow to coarse rice exports, he added.

He suggested to the minister to discuss the matter with Sri Lankan government with whom a free trade agreement is to be signed.