KARACHI, Feb 27: The minister of state and chairman Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Tariq Ikram said on Wednesday that Libya is keen to purchase 50,000 tons rice and 0.2 million tons of wheat.

Briefing newsmen on his recent visit to Libya and Kenya, he said there are good prospects of export to Libya, and, in a short period of one to two years, goods worth $80 to $100 million could be exported to Libya.

Since procurement of food items is made by government owned National Supply Corporation (NSC) of Libya, the EPB chairman said the rice and wheat deal would be on government to government basis but technically from Pakistani side the private sector will handle the consignments.

He said export of 50,000 tons rice could fetch around $12 million and wheat between $25 to $30 million, but there are also good prospects for export of textile and pharmaceuticals which could earn upto $7 million and $5 million respectively.

Libya is also willing to purchase un-specific quantity of wheat flour to meet its domestic demand, and said that in a short period of one to two years Pakistan could enhance its export up to $100 million.

Once exports to Libya, he said, stood at around $7 to $8 million but over the years they have dwindled to $1.5 million despite the fact that both the countries enjoy good relations.

Under a new strategy evolved for Africa where only 4 per cent of total exports are presently being made, the EPB chairman said Libya and Kenya have been focused to enhance exports to this region.

Libya annually import goods worth $13 billion, which mostly originate from Europe, comprising textiles, garments, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

He said the Libyan government gave highly encouraging response to his visit and shown keen interest to expand trade relation between the two countries.

Tariq Ikram said the EPB has drawn a road map for enhancing exports to both Libya and Kenya under which a textile delegation from Libya would be visiting Pakistan in the first week of April.

Similarly, he said a single country exhibition for creating awareness about Pakistani products is being held in Tripoli in June this year and another exhibition of pharma products will also be held and seminars and workshops will be organized. A display centre for a period of three months will be opened in Libya to promote and create awareness about Pakistani products.

He said it has been ensured that Pakistani businessmen will get visa within 48 hours.

Referring to his Kenya visit, the EPB chief said it has been agreed in principle that trade imbalance which is heavily in favour of Kenya should be rectified by making more imports from Pakistan.

Presently, he said, Pakistan imports tea worth over $200 million annually from Kenya but the latter imports goods worth $18 million only.

He said Kenya is also keen to import engineering goods as well as pharmaceuticals from Pakistan. For this purpose, he said, the minister for health will be visiting Pakistan in next two months.

Ikram said Pakistani high commissioner to Kenya has been asked to identify goods which could find market in Kenya as well as other African states.