KARACHI, Aug 11: Rice exporters have asked the Sri Lankan government to remove the condition of permit requirement and also abolish duty on import of basmati rice.

This demand was raised by rice exporters during a meeting with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Bashir Wali who visited the REAP House, here on Wednesday.

The vice-chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Muhammad Anwar Mianoor, urged the Sri Lankan envoy to request his government to facilitate rice import from Pakistan and also apprised him of about future trade potentials between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion former REAP chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo suggested that the free trade talks between the two countries should be purused at a faster pace.

The Sri Lankan envoy agreed with the suggestion and said efforts would be made to organize road show for basmati rice in the month of Ramazan to introduce the rice varieties to the Sri Lankan consumers, and with the collaboration of EPB a single country exhibition would also be organized.