KARACHI, Jan 18: Rice exporters have urged the government to announce special package to help them export the surplus quantity in time, besides capturing Afghan market having potential to absorb 200,000 tons of rice.

In a communication addressed to President Pervez Musharraf, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo has sought various concessions so that exporters could compete in the depressed world market and also adjust against the appreciated value of the rupee.

The REAP chairman drew the attention of the president towards current crisis being faced by rice exporters and said that depressed international market, fluctuation of dollar/ rupee value had multiplied exporters problem.

Janoo said that rice season was in full swing and exporters were facing tough competition from India particularly when the rupee has appreciated by up to 7 per cent against the US dollar.

He said if “our exporters are unable to export the surplus quantity in time, in March, the Vietnamese rice would capture the world market.”

Janoo expressed his fear that this season the country would not be able to meet the last year’s target because of crop shortage in Sindh owing to water crisis.

While demanding for a special package for rice exporters, he suggested the government should immediately suspend withholding tax on rice exports at least for next six months.

He also sought reduction in mark-up rates for export refinance and demanded of the EPB to sponsor REAP’s delegation visits to Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka, BD and Indonesia.