May 2, 2006	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 3, 1427

KARACHI, May 1: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has opposed the formation of new Basmati rice trade body on geographical lines that excludes exporters.

Unisame President Zulfikar Thaver in a statement here on Monday called upon Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan to check the move.

He said a new association under the name and style of the Basmati Growers Association was being allowed registration by the commerce ministry with an objective to monopolise Basmati rice trade in the country.

The Unisame chief warned the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan that the disgruntled element that was upset over the termination of the Quality Review Committee was trying to form a new association in order to maintain their hold over Basmati rice trade and exports.

The proposed association had also filed trade mark registration for Basmati and the registry had started processing the application, he added.

Mr Thaver advised the commerce minister not to allow any group a monopoly over the Basmati rice trade.

He also urged the minister to direct his ministry to look into the issue of Basmati rice patent right.

He suspected that India was trying to usurp the long-term benefits of aromatic grains the world wide.

The Unisame chief suggests that Pakistan must take initiatives to inform the world that it also grow Basmati rice and is a major supplier of it which has a unique place for being highly aromatic grain.