Karachi: Rafiq Suleman, the former chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), met with Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday, advocating for tax reductions on rice exporters. Suleman argued that easing the tax burden could significantly enhance rice exports and generate substantial foreign exchange for Pakistan.

During the meeting at Federation House, Suleman highlighted the increased rice exports this year compared to the previous year. He urged the Finance Minister to include the rice sector among the beneficiaries of government incentives, noting that other export-oriented sectors have enjoyed such support for years. Suleman emphasized the rice sector's substantial contribution to national exports and its need for similar recognition.

Suleman also discussed the potential benefits of mechanical farming. He suggested that if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed provincial governments to promote mechanical farming, crop yields could increase by 50-60%. This, he noted, would boost rice exports and improve farmers' livelihoods.

Furthermore, Suleman recommended eliminating taxes on machinery imports essential to the rice sector, such as silos and dryers. He explained that installing temperature-controlled silos would enable proper storage of grains, preventing spoilage and contributing to economic stability.

Suleman stressed that removing these taxes could enable Pakistan to produce high-quality rice capable of competing in global markets. He also reminded the Finance Minister of his promise to visit the REAP House, to which Senator Aurangzeb replied he would soon meet with rice exporters.