KARACHI – Pakistan has lifted ban on import of plants/machineries used to make bio-products for the value addition of rice from India. According to sources, the Federal Cabinet in its recently held meetings has approved the release of ban on import of Rice Braun Oil (RBO) plants from India to ensure the value addition of Pakistani exportable rice.
This step, sources said, was taken by the government after the recent visit of President Asif Ali Zardai to Japan where Pakistani delegation had meetings with the Japanese companies which were dealing in rice related bi-products, particularly Rice Braun Oil (RBO) which is the most expensive oil in the world.
Pakistani side had learnt that some Indian companies were also dealing in the plants of RBO, but importation of plants/machineries from India was banned in Pakistan. Later on, recommendations of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) chairman and chief executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the ministry of commerce had put the matter in the Federal Cabinet meetings and finally it was approved and the ban was lifted on import of RBO plants from India.
Besides, as per directives of President of Pakistan and Federal Minister for Commerce, it has been decided that REAP would send a delegation to India with the support of Government of Pakistan, whereas the association has requested TDAP Chief Executive Tariq Iqbal Puri, to lead this delegation which would visit India and negotiate with Indian companies to discuss possibilities to import 10 plants of RBO from India.
Pakistan lifts ban on import of RBO plants from India
