The Pakistani Basmati rice gaining acceptance and popularity in Malaysia as it contains less starch than regular white rice, making it a healthier option for the Malaysians, says a feature report by Bernama.
The Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia Masood Khalid while talking to the news agency, says that Pakistan is aware of the potential of its Basmati rice and its high demand in Malaysia and to increase rice exports to Malaysia, Pakistan is looking at a joint venture with Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas). “Our discussion with Bernas is being done in stages. To date, Bernas has sent two groups of representatives to Pakistan to sign agreements with Pakistani exporters, following the floods in Thailand and Vietnam that affected rice imports to Malaysia,” he said, adding “we are soon expecting to see Bernas in Pakistan again … I hope the joint venture will benefit both parties”. Masood Khalid said the Pakistani government was also planning visits from and consistent contacts with Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, apart from asking Rice Exporters Association Pakistan (REAP) to consider exporting rice to Malaysia.
