December 05, 2006	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 13, 1427

KARACHI, Dec 4: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has claimed that millions of dollars of Pakistan exporters are stuck up in Yemen owing to poor banking network between the two countries.

In a statement, the REAP chairman, Mr Abdul Aziz Maniya, urged the government to establish banking links with the Republic of Yemen to boost direct rice export.

He said that poor banking facilities between the two countries were discouraging expansion of Pakistani rice exports to Yemen. He said that the UBL was operative in Yemen, but at a very limited scale, having a small exposure.

Maniya said the REAP had proposed to the government that during the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Yemen from Dec 12 talks on expansion of banking network between the two countries should also be put on the agenda.

Meanwhile, Honorary Consul-General of the Republic of Yemen, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, also visited the REAP office and discussed measures to boost rice exports from Pakistan to Yemen.

They also discussed visa issue and banking facilities.—APP