Both exports and imports play an important part in the economic growth of any country. Export is crucial to meet the required foreign exchange gap and to increase import capacity. An increase in import boosts industrialisation and overall economic activity. Rice is the second largest commercial crop. The international rice market has been dominated by two major tendencies from the 1990s, first a sharp rise in volumes and, second, a continued slide of international prices.
Rice export from Pakistan is turning to be a failure, when taken in consideration of its projected potential. The exports were stagnant for last many years. The government needs to take effective measures to increase the yield, production and quality of export rice. Pakistani rice exporters have to improve rice quality and branding, there is a need to work on a strategy to improve the quality of our exports and carefully grade and differentiate goods of various qualities and types.
SYED ABDULAH QADEER,
Lahore, June 24.