KARACHI, Oct 3: The expected bumper rice crop of around 3.7 million tons would leave an exportable surplus of nearly 2.2 million tons, which might earn over $600 million this year.

This was stated by the out-going chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Abdul Rahim Janoo at a farewell dinner organized in his honour by a REAP member on Thursday evening.

He said heavy rains coupled with good season has brightened the prospects for bumper paddy crop which would likely to be around 3.6 to 3.7 million tons. After meeting domestic consumption needs of around 2.3 million tons, Janoo said there would be an exportable surplus of around 2 to 2.2 million tons.

It was encouraging, he said that last year rice exporters managed to enhance their value-addition up to 24 per cent, with 5-6 per cent in quality and 18 per cent in presentation and packing.

While appreciating Karachi Port Trust (KPT) for its role in facilitating rice exports, the out-going REAP chief said presently rice exports face no issue at the port as by road labour and demurrage issues were resolved amicably.

However, he reiterated his demand for giving membership to REAP in the KPT’s Board of Trustees because rice exporters are big user of port and this will help resolve their day-to-day problems.

Abdul Rahim Janoo hoped that in next three years rice exports would touch $1 billion mark and become a member of ‘$1 billion club.’ He welcomed two Sudanese rice importers, Mohammad Umer Noor and Kamal Derwash on the occasion.

The chairman, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat, speaking as a chief guest said that entire bulk cargo handling at the Karachi Port will be handed over to private sector.

After achieving this objective, he said, the KPT would privatize other segments of the port and by involving private sector, which he said would have more flexibility and efficiency, the role of the KPT would become no more than a landlord or a watch-dog.

The KPT chief refuted the general impression that the present rate of berth occupancy at 45 to 50 per cent is a negative sign and said on the contrary it shows their efficiency because the volume of cargo handling has increased manifold as compared to what it had been in the past.

Ahmed Hayat said that in early 80’s the berth occupancy at the Karachi Port was 100 per cent but total cargo handling was between 10 to 11 million tons whereas today the total cargo handling have gone up to 26 million tons.

Despite the fact that much of the bulk cargo is being handled by Port Qasim but rice exports which is also a bulk cargo is being exported from Karachi Port. The KPT chairman said, “we always endeavour to make the port users’ friendly and works as a gateway to economy by not enhancing tariffs.”

Referring to a demand raised by Abdul Rahim Janoo for giving seat to REAP member in KPT’s Board of Trustees, Ahmad Hayat said that he has no objection over the matter, however, the formation of KPT board is a legislative issue and this could only be altered through an act of parliament.