KARACHI Chairman of FAM Holding Dr Faisal Ali Mousa, a conglomerate in United Arab Emirates, has expressed hope that Pakistans rice exporters can book $200 million rice export order for the global market through participating in international rice conference and exhibition to be held in UAE soon. Speaking to journalists at a press conference held at a local hotel the other day, the Chairman said, rice exporters from Pakistan have been invited to participate in a big way in the first ever international rice exhibition Rice International Conference and Exhibition (RICE) Dubai2011, which is scheduled to be held from May 9 to 11, 2011 at Madinatul Jumeirah UAE. He said that the event would provide opportunity to Pakistani rice exporters to explore new markets and buyers to increase exports of this commodity. Besides rice, FAM Holding of UAE is keen to purchase building materials including cement, marbles and granite, tiles and sanitary-ware in large quantity from Pakistan. He informed that he had fruitful meetings with the stakeholders in his first visit and he likely to sign some Joint Venture with some Pakistani conglomerate in his next visit, he informed. About the event, he said that the RICE - Dubai 2011 is the first and unique international event in the region to gather all stakeholders of international rice market under one roof. It is therefore a global stage, where different associated industry players can demonstrate their capabilities, services, products, and scientific outputs, and make these available for businesses. They can also establish new deals and business relations, said Mousa adding that this would boost up sales, profitability and increase client base across Middle East, Africa and European region. The exhibition is a showcase for manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers around the world, representing all key sectors within rice trade to expand their client base and venture into emerging markets. He said that RICE would serve as an ideal platform for attracting 10,000 trade visitors and bulk buyers. This event will be organized by Ideal Idea Events Management, one of the leading event organizers in the region, he added. He pointed out that more than 60 countries participation helps to identify new market opportunities, gain market intelligence and find new channels to market products. We are getting trade enquiries from buying nations such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Senegal, Malaysia, Yemen, Syria, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Russia, Cambodia, Sudan, Libya, Bahrain and other countries. Dubais proximity to major rice producers, excellent shipping infrastructure, storage facilities, trade promoting environment and financing options provides competitive advantages to rice traders intending to expand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He said that a recent study conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, UAE has revealed that UAE has been the top global re-exporter of rice over the past five years (2005- 2009). The study revealed that the UALs share of global rice re-exports stood at 93 percent, underlining the countrys strategic importance in the global rice trade - due to it being situated in a pivotal point between international production, export, and consumption areas in South East Asia and the rest of the world.