ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood said here on Monday that constitution of fully powerful Pakistan Rice Board (PRB) was in the offing to give substantial boost to export of rice, enhance its productivity and ensure quality in management.

He was presiding over a meeting of the members of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).

Mr Razak termed this rice board to be fully powerful and autonomous in matters pertaining to rice exports, quality management, rice growth and high quality of milling. PRB will be headed by a chairman from the private sector and will bear all the stakeholders like farmers, growers, millers and exporters on it as members.

Legal formalities are being sorted out and it is expected that by the end of October 2002, this board will be launched with clear mandate of capturing the world market in rice sector.

Mr Razak said the country had suffered a lot in previous couple of years in this sector due to non-compliance of proper international quality standards. This government has lifted all sort of regulatory actions and has made the private sector fully responsible for making their own export policies under the facilitation provided by the government. PRB will be formed on the pattern of Horticulture Board and it will start functioning after the resolution has been passed. With the passage of time it will be further strengthened and will gain full control as implementation body.

The main function of the PRB would be to facilitate and encourage export of rice, rice quality management, coordination with GoP, providing commercial intelligence to producers and exporters of rice, and implement market access plan. The board will also represent the sector on international fora and organize rice export delegations and participation in international trade fairs. The board will be financed through Export Development Fund (EDF).

Updating the delegation about Pakistan’s participation in “Rice International Moot” being held at Bangkok (Thailand) on October 9, the commerce minister said five top rice producing countries are participating in it, namely China, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and Thailand. Pakistan will represent its case of stabilizing the rice prices and equal opportunities of exports. Moreover, it will also emphasize upon the policy of non-use of “Pak brand” by any other country of the region.

Apprising about his forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka in connection with Free Trade Agreement on October 2, 2002, the minister said that he would pursue the Lankan government for importing 50 per cent, out of their total rice demand of 200,000 tons from Pakistan. The rice exporters reiterated their assurance for doubling their efforts in exporting rice and maintaining international quality standards. They lauded the govt endeavours for introducing decontrol and establishment of PRB in the private sector.

Next meeting, to give final shape to the PRB structure, will be held in Lahore on October 12.