July 11, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1424

ISLAMABAD, July 10: Pakistan will export 15,000 tons of different varieties of rice worth $7.75 million to Iran.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo and chief executive, Union of Islamic Republic of Iran Border Dwellers, Cooperative Companies, signed a deal in Tehran, said a fax message received here on Thursday from Pakistani embassy in Iran.

Pakistani ambassador to Iran Javid Husain, commercial counsellor and other officials of the embassy were present at the signing ceremony.

The deal for the sale of Pakistani rice to Iran was finalized during the visit to Iran by a Pakistani rice delegation. The delegation held meetings with local businessmen, officials of Iranian ministry of commerce, cooperative and government trading corporation.

During the visit to Mashad and Zahidan, the delegation also signed a deal for export of 200 tons of Pakistani rice worth $3 million. Another deal for export of 200 tons of Pakistani rice was also finalized in Tehran, added the message.

The total order secured by the delegation stood at 22,000 tons of rice worth $12 million, which will give a boost to export of rice to Iran, added the message.