KARACHI: Pakistani rice exporters said on Saturday they would send a letter to Qatar on Monday through the ministry of commerce and the Trade Development Authority to complain about an India-specific basmati rice import tender, which local traders have called a discriminatory move by the Qatari government.
Earlier this year, Qatar lifted a ban, imposed since 2011-12, on the import of rice from Pakistan, thus allowing Islamabad to export 4,000 metric tons or 100,000 bags of basmati rice to Doha. The decision came after a visit to the country by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. A tender was subsequently won by Pakistan’s Chappal traders, whose shipment is expected in Qatar by December 2019.
On Thursday, however, the Qatar government announced a new tender for import of 48,000 metric tons of basmati rice but allowed only Indian suppliers to participate.
“Definitely our association will send a letter to the Qatar government in which we will write to them that this variety [basmati rice] is available both in Pakistan and India; therefore origin specific tenders cannot be floated,” Muhammad Raza, senior vice chairman at the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) told Arab News on Saturday. “The letter will be sent through the ministry of commerce and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to the Qatari government on Monday.”
“As the previous tender was Pakistan-specific, perhaps they have gone for an Indian-specific tender this time and allocated more quantity to India,” Raza added. “Qatar’s procurement agency will be requested that in future the tender for this variety should not be kept country-origin specific, allowing both countries [India and Pakistan] to supply as per their capacity.”
Neither Pakistan’s minister for commerce, nor a representative of the Trade Development Authority, could be reached for comment.
Pakistan’s exporters say the country will lose rice exports worth $57.6 million due to the exclusion of Pakistan from Qatar’s latest tender.
“Pakistan’s name should have been in the tender issued by the Qatar government for supply of 48,000 MT rice along with India,” Rafique Suleman, convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told Arab News.
Qatar’s annual rice import market is about 200,000 metric tons, in which Pakistan’s share gradually declined from 125,000 to 20,000-25000 tons in 2011-12. Since this time, only private sector rice firms from Qatar have continued imports from Pakistan.
The 2011-12 ban was imposed on Pakistan by the CTC, the government of Qatar’s procurement arm, for what it called the supply of substandard commodities. Since the lifting of the ban, Pakistan is expecting to export rice worth $40-50 million, but Qatar has appointed a third party to ensure quality.
Pakistani exporters to move government against Qatar’s India-only rice tender
Pakistani exporters to move government against Qatar’s India-only rice tender
- On Thursday, Qatar government announced an India-specific tender for import of 48,000 metric tons of basmati rice
- Pakistani traders say both countries have basmati rice, country-specific tenders should not be floated
Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
- Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others.
It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability.
“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said.
The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region.
“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.
