BEIJING, July 19: The Chinese government on Tuesday issued a notification, formally allowing import of Pakistani rice. Any registered company in China can import rice from Pakistan with immediate effect, said officials at the Chinese commerce ministry. Relevant agencies and custom authorities at entry points have been informed accordingly.

“We found Pakistani rice free of pests and moreover the country’s rice re-processing units are also working up to the mark,” the officials told APP.

According to them, special quota could be allocated to the importers of Pakistani rice. The registered companies are required to fulfil certain conditions for this purpose.

Generally, the duty on import of rice in China is about 65 per cent. But, in case of fixed quota, the duty will be reduced to one per cent.

The officials hoped that Pakistan’s major rice traders would register their companies in China to apply for the fixed quota and avail the benefit of tax rebate.

Pakistani long-grain rice can find a big market in China since its quality is better than those that are currently being imported from some other countries, says a senior official of the Pakistan Embassy. “The import of rice in China is a big breakthrough, promoting trade relations between the two countries,” he added.

China purchased 731,598,419 tons of Thai rice worth $246 million last year. It is also importing rice from Thailand, Vietnam, the US, Japan, Myanmar and Italy.

Rice is considered a staple food for over 70 per cent of China’s population and accounts for 40 per cent of the country’s total cereals consumption.

The official underlined the need for organizing exhibitions and launching a promotion campaign for the introduction of Pakistani products in the Chinese market. He said many Chinese companies were willing to enhance trading with Pakistan, especially of food products including mango and orange.—APP