Unisame seeks industry status for rice sector

KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has invited the attention of Federal Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar to the need of declaring the rice sector as an industry by virtue of its exports, employment size and its role in the supply chain, a statement said.

Unisame President Zulfikar Thaver said that rice has become almost a fast food item, besides a favourite dish of several millions of people across Pakistan and is consumed most after wheat.
Thaver said that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are engaged in growing, processing and exporting rice to various global destinations.

There are many SMEs who are dealing in seeds and other farm inputs and providing logistics in the rice sector; thus, making it the second biggest commodity after cotton, which is the main source of the textile industry.
It is the second biggest export item after textiles and deserves to be given preferential treatment and recognised as an industry, he added.

The Union Council has asked for zero-rating and exemption and all facilities of uniform rates of electricity as given to other industries and full recognition as an industry to enable it to compete in the global markets.
The rice sector has vast potential to increase exports and employ more farmers, processors and exporters and outshine in all the spheres, it council added.