KARACHI, March 10: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has urged the Ministry of Commerce to give SMEs proper representation on the rice board.

The SME’s union has pointed out that as majority of growers, millers, processors and exporters belong to the SME sector and contribute more than 75 per cent in all spheres of rice business, therefore, it was unfair and unjust to keep them away from the rice board.

In the absence of SMEs on the rice board it is apprehended that a few big exporters will frame policies and other matters favouring them, which will go against the exports and the national interest.

The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) is entrusted with the task of managing the Quality Review Committee (QRC). It also gives advice to the Export Promotion Bureau and the ministries of agriculture and commerce and looks after various promotional matters pertaining to the improvement of the quality of rice.

Now the rice board has been entrusted to do the same job. And in case the SMEs are not given proper representation on the board, over 75 per cent of exporters will have no say in the affairs of rice board, the SME’s union added.

Unisame suggested that only those persons should be on the board who are well versed with every aspect of rice right from the procurement of seed and cultivation, areas involved and their climatic tendencies.