October 25, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 12, 1428

KARACHI, Oct 24: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has urged the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) to convene a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the situation arising out of Indian ban on export of non-basmati rice.

Zulfikar Thaver, president Unisame, invited the attention of federal secretary of Minfal to evolve a strategy to overcome the purchasing pressure on Pakistani non-basmati rice from all over the world due to Indian government’s ban on its exports.Ever since the Indian ban, there had been pressure on Pakistani non-basmati rice and it is apprehended that if the situation is not handled carefully, it may lead to a price-hike, making it unaffordable for domestic consumers.

He advised the government to impose ban on Irri-9, and 386 quality rice and other non-basmati varieties and only allow export of Irri-6 coarse rice which is also non-basmati.

Mr Thaver said Irri-9 and 386 are largely consumed by low income groups even through their prices have also risen very high.

He said Irri-6 which is produced in abundance should remain for exports and has a lot of demand from African countries and other lower income group in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Indian working in Middle East.