Govt eyes $10bn rice exports, assures support to exporters

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has urged rice exporters to set an ambitious target of $10 billion in rice exports and assured them of full support from his ministry and port authorities. Chaudhry, accompanied by Chairman Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed, visited the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to discuss export growth and port facilitation measures, read an official statement on Tuesday. During the visit, REAP Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir briefed the delegation on the performance of the rice sector, describing it as a $4 billion industry with a target to reach $5 billion. He also highlighted plans to bring nearly 30 million acres of land under cultivation to boost production and exports.