Mission: Biryani
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File photo of biryani at Sri Angannan Biryani Hotel in Coimbatore
Photo: M. Periasamy
The Hindu File photo of biryani at Sri Angannan Biryani Hotel in
Coimbatore Photo: M. Periasamy
TOPICS
human interest
lifestyle and leisure
The writer on her love for the fragrant and fluffy seeraga samba
I once hung around Thalappakatti’s T. Nagar branch for almost an
hour, waiting for their evening’s batch of biryani to be prepared. The security
guard thought I was crazy; he constantly gave me suspicious looks. There were
several biryani shops near where I lived, selling a plate for less than Rs.
100. But they served biryani made of basmati rice. And nothing, not even a
famine, can make me eat basmati biryani.
True, basmati is a superior variety of rice. But I’m from Madurai,
which is very close to Dindigul, the land of seeraga samba biryani. I have
grown up eating this variety, and as a result, am a purist.
Every time I move cities, ‘Mission: Biryani’ is to find
restaurants that sell the best seeraga samba biryani. Coimbatore and Madurai
have many, but Chennai, unfortunately, has fewer. Among them, Junior Kuppanna
is my favourite, followed by Ambur Star Biryani.
Seeraga samba rice has a lovely fragrance that clings to the meat
and makes the entire dish an experience. Sometimes, out of habit, I end up
ordering basmati biryani at restaurants. But I waste most of it. A crime, no
less. But wasting seeraga samba biryani? — one could go to hell for this.
Home Economy Watch
Rice growers, exporters for rice syndicate
RICE GROWERS, EXPORTERS FOR RICE SYNDICATE
LIKE
Amanullah Khan
Karachi—The small to medium sized rice growers, millers,
processors and exporters have formed a syndicate to express their
dissatisfaction with trade bodies who allegedly failed to address issues
confronted to the rice sector. Being badly affected by the neglect and
ignorance of their issues by their respective associations have formed a Rice
Syndicate under the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) to advocate
their cause with the ministries of agriculture, commerce, industry and science
and technology directly.
The supply chain, the logistics, the poor quality of insecticides,
pesticides, fertilizers, the shipping companies inefficiencies, the costly
packing materials and other issues of rice imports from India by the rice mafia
and their demands to allow imports of rice from the Wag-ah border are serious
issues. More than 1000 rice units have been closed down and the worst affected
are the SMEs. The failure of the concerned group to diligently handle the
Geographical Indications case and the Basmati trade mark ownership are the
factors which have led to the formation of the Rice Syndicate which
h feels insecure in the hands of the vested group. Thaver said the
Rice Syndicate has unanimously selected Haji Muhammad Saeed the chairman of the
SME Farmers Association (SMEFA) as its convener and the Rice Syndicate will
meet regularly the stakeholders and comprehend their issues and take up their
cause with the concerned provincial and federal ministries. Haji Muhammad Saeed
chairman SMEFA called upon the Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Authority (SMEDA) and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (PCSIR), the National Productivity Organization (NPO) and the
Engineering Development Board (EDB) to lend support and help to the rice
industry and save it from collapse. He also requested the Trade Development
Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) not to ignore the SMEs in rice trade and make
sincere efforts and offer marketing support to the stressed sector
ICCI FOR TAKING MEASURES TO ACHIEVE EXPORT TARGETS SET IN STPF
Thursday, 24 March 2016 20:16 Posted by Shoaib-ur-Rehman Siddiqui
E-mail Print PDF
Views: 33
imageISLAMABAD: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
has urged the government for taking priority measures to reduce production cost
and create enabling environment for trade and exports to achieve export targets
set in Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2015-18.
In a statement, President ICCI, Atif Ikram Sheikh urged the
government for addressing key problems of the business community on priority to
achieve the task to increase annual exports from US$ 25 billion to US$ 35
billion set in STPF.
He said textiles accounted for over 60 percent of Pakistan's total
exports, however, textile exports have come down to US$ 8.363 during the first
eight months of the current fiscal year compared to US$ 9.166 during same
period of 2014-15 showing a decline of 9 percent.
He attributed the high cost of doing business and weak demand in
the international market a major role in affecting exports.
He appreciated the incentives announced in STPF 15-18 for
technology upgradation in specific sectors including fans, home appliances,
rice, cutlery and sports goods and grants for leather, pharmaceutical,
fisheries and surgical instruments.
However, he urged the need for providing similar incentives to
other engineering goods, marble and other products which have great export
potential.
He said the share of engineering goods in international exports
was rising while the share of textile exports was falling.
He urged the government for focusing on non-traditional sectors to
make significant improvement in exports.
Atif Ikram Sheikh said government has identified basmati rice,
horticulture, meat & meat products and jewellery for enhancing their
exports to Iran, China, Afghanistan and the European Union which was a laudable
step.
He said many other Pakistani products have also good scope in
these countries and stressed the need for cooperating with the private sector
to get better penetration in these markets.
He was of the view that government support for producing value
added agriculture, marble, IT, engineering and other products could help in
boosting trade and exports of the country.
http://pakobserver.net/2016/03/24/rice-growers-exporters-for-rice-syndicate/
Rice Syndicate formed under UNISAME to resolve issues
Staff Report
March 24, 2016
Be First To Comment
KARACHI: The small to medium sized rice growers, millers,
processors and exporters, being badly affected by the neglect and ignorance of
their issues by their respective associations, have formed a Rice Syndicate
under the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) to advocate their
cause with the ministries of agriculture, commerce, industry and science and
technology directly.
UNISAME President Zulfikar Thaver said the SMEs are frustrated
with the attitude of the trade bodies that are simply not interested in
advocating the cause of the growers, millers, processors and exporters of rice
and have resolved to tackle their problems collectively on self help basis.
He said the Rice Syndicate has been formed by the stakeholders to
give serious consideration to the issues of farmers who are unable to fetch
even their cost of production due to costly farm inputs. "The millers are
idle due to lack of demand from processors and exporters. The exporters are
unable to compete in global markets due to competition from India. The Rice
Syndicate would bring all of them under one platform as the issues are
interconnected right from the primary sector to the tertiary and services
sector," he added.
The poor supply chain, logistics, quality of insecticides,
pesticides, fertilizers, inefficiencies of shipping companies, costly packing
materials and other issues of rice imports from India should be taken
seriously, he said, adding that more than 1,000 rice units have been closed and
the worst affected are the SMEs.
He said the failure of concerned group to diligently handle the
geographical indications case and the basmati trade mark ownership are the
factors that have led to the formation of the Rice Syndicate, which feels
insecure in the hands of the vested group. Thaver said the Rice Syndicate has
unanimously selected SME Farmers Association (SMEFA) Chairman Haji Muhammad
Saeed of the as its convener and the Rice Syndicate would meet regularly with
the stakeholders and comprehend their issues and take up their cause with the
concerned provincial and federal ministries.
SMEFA Chairman Haji Muhammad Saeed called upon the Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Pakistan Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), National Productivity Organisation
(NPO) and the Engineering Development Board (EDB) to lend support to the rice
industry and save it from collapse.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/24-Mar-2016/rice-syndicate-formed-under-unisame-to-resolve-issues
newsbrief
March 24, 2016 SHARE :
inShare
PCDMA reminder for membership renewal by 31st
KARACHI (PR): Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association
(PCDMA), in its final reminder, has advised all its members to renew their
membership by March 31, 2016 in order to avoid any inconvenience. According to
PCDMA, the process of membership renewal was currently underway for the year
2016-17 and the last date for renewal of membership is 31st March 2016. PCDMA
has already intimated its members that the membership shall expire on
31-03-2016 thus all members must get their membership renewed on or before that
date by submitting prescribed membership fee along with proof of submission of
the return, statement of final taxation for the tax year 2015.
Under clause 46(iii) of the Article of the Association of Pakistan
Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association, any member who does not pay his
subscription by 31stMarch 2016, shall be deemed to have been automatically
removed from themembership record of the Association.
All the members of the Association may contact Head Office at
Karachi for their renewals of Membership, the Members belonging to all Cities
of Punjab except Faisalabad and Khyber Pakhtoon Khaw may please contact to Mr.
Talha Bin Zaheer, Secretary, Northern Regional office or Mr. Amir
Munir,President, Northern Regional office Lahore, While the members from
Faisalabad may please contact Mr. Aijjaz
Saleem.
As per DGTO orders dated 24-02-1997 the Membership will be renewed
only upon providing the proof of Filing of Return or statement under section
115(4) of the Income tax Ordinance 2000 (previously section 143-B of the Income
Tax Ordinance 1979) for the latest proceeding year i.e. assessment year
2015-2016, (year ending June 30, 2015).
Corporate members which do not fall in the category of Public
Limited Company, Private Ltd Company or registered as manufacturers with Sales
Tax department must file copies of their sales tax/ Income Tax returns for the
year 2015 as a proof that their annual turnover amount is Rs. 50.000 million
minimum.
Envoy urges expats in France to invest in home country
ISLAMABAD (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan to France Ghalib Iqbal has
asked the Pakistani community in France to invest liberally in their home
country by taking advantage of opportunities offered by the Government of
Pakistan as well as the European Union. He was addressing the flag hoisting
ceremony on the occasion of Pakistan Day in Paris. He said due to the
improvement of bilateral investment and trade environment, the efforts of the
Mission and participation of Pakistani community in France, the volume of trade
between Pakistan and France had increased by 13% in the last one year. The
members of Pakistani community, the officers and the staff of the embassy
attended the ceremony.
Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti, Member of Punjab Provincial Assembly,
also spoke on the occasion, said a message received here Wednesday.
He said that foreign remittances sent home by the Pakistani
expatriates had been providing much needed relief to the foreign exchange
reserves at home.
He said the present government was giving high priority to protect
the rights of women and giving them equal opportunities in all walks of life.
Railways CE issues final warning to encroachers
KARACHI (APP): Chief Executive of Pakistan Railways, Muhammad
Javed Anwar Bubak has warned the encroachers to vacate the Railway lands
immediately. A Railways official said here Wednesday that Javed Anwar has
issued a `final warning’ to the encroachers in this regard. He asked them to
voluntarily demolish the houses, shops, eateries etc set up on the Railways’
land or else an action would be initiated to the remove the encroachments from
the Department’s lands. Javed Anwar also directed the Divisional Superintendent
Karachi Division, Nisar Ahmed Memon, to get cleared the Railways’ lands in
Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tando Adam from encroachments.
He also called for concerted efforts for strengthening the
Pakistan Railways.
Rice farmers receive training to reduce cost of production
ISLAMABAD (APP): The rice farmers of district Sheikhupura were
re-capacitated on latest technique of rice cultivation in a bid to increase per
acre yield and reduce cost of production. A capacity building workshop, in this
regard was held in Sheikhupura which was conducted by Rice Partners Pvt
Ltd.(RPL) in collaboration with Intercoopration. More than 35 farmers were
capacitated on precision laser leveling and water productivity. Rice Experts
from Pakistan Agricultural and Research Council (PARC) and District Agriculture
Departments gave their technical lectures to address the real problems of the
rice farmers with small land holding of the district, said a statement received
here Wednesday.
On the occasion Project Manager RPL (WAPRO), Zafar Iqbal said that
this was the time to support poor rice farmers to reduce their cost of
production and increase yield of rice by adopting conservation
agricultural techniques like Precision Land Leveling, water
saving,
field tubes and direct seeding of rice (DSR).
Furthermore Chief Operating Officer RPL Muhammad Ali Tariq said
that their main objectives were to to develop latest techniques on rice cultivation
and production among farmers.
He said through this training workshop, farmers will be able to
contribute more in national economy.
Suraj Vaidya felicitated on becoming SAARC CCI president
Lahore (Staff Reporter): Suraj Vaidya was appointed as SAARC CCI
President for two years (2016-17) on Wednesday. An old member of the SAARC CCI,
Vaidya formerly remained SAARC Tourism Council chairman. During the period, he
worked assiduously to promote South Asia as an attractive tourist destination.
Prior to this appointment, Vaidya served as SAARC CCI as Acting President in
2015. SAARC CCI Vice President Iftikhar Malik expressed confidence that the
private sector of South Asia under Vaidya’s guidance would achieve new
milestones. He said Vaidya, who has already been the president of Federation of
Nepalese Chambers, had experience, leadership qualities and the understanding
of the challenges that lay ahead.
Malik further said that SAARC CCI’s vision was enshrined in a
six-point agenda, which included greater investments, building industrial
parks, promotion of Youth Angels and development of Smart Green Villages.
“With fresh and new ideas, with vibrant and dynamic energy, the
SAARC CCI team would dedicate their next two years to the betterment of South
Asia,” Malik hoped.
He said the chamber needed an experienced and committed individual
in that position, and the secretariat was ready to provide all the support for
fulfilling the vision of the incoming president
newsbrief
March 24, 2016 SHARE :
inShare
PCDMA reminder for membership renewal by 31st
KARACHI (PR): Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association
(PCDMA), in its final reminder, has advised all its members to renew their
membership by March 31, 2016 in order to avoid any inconvenience. According to PCDMA,
the process of membership renewal was currently underway for the year 2016-17
and the last date for renewal of membership is 31st March 2016. PCDMA has
already intimated its members that the membership shall expire on 31-03-2016
thus all members must get their membership renewed on or before that date by
submitting prescribed membership fee along with proof of submission of the
return, statement of final taxation for the tax year 2015.
Under clause 46(iii) of the Article of the Association of Pakistan
Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association, any member who does not pay his
subscription by 31stMarch 2016, shall be deemed to have been automatically
removed from themembership record of the Association.
All the members of the Association may contact Head Office at
Karachi for their renewals of Membership, the Members belonging to all Cities
of Punjab except Faisalabad and Khyber Pakhtoon Khaw may please contact to Mr.
Talha Bin Zaheer, Secretary, Northern Regional office or Mr. Amir
Munir,President, Northern Regional office Lahore, While the members from
Faisalabad may please contact Mr. Aijjaz
Saleem.
As per DGTO orders dated 24-02-1997 the Membership will be renewed
only upon providing the proof of Filing of Return or statement under section
115(4) of the Income tax Ordinance 2000 (previously section 143-B of the Income
Tax Ordinance 1979) for the latest proceeding year i.e. assessment year
2015-2016, (year ending June 30, 2015).
Corporate members which do not fall in the category of Public
Limited Company, Private Ltd Company or registered as manufacturers with Sales
Tax department must file copies of their sales tax/ Income Tax returns for the
year 2015 as a proof that their annual turnover amount is Rs. 50.000 million
minimum.
Envoy urges expats in France to invest in home country
ISLAMABAD (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan to France Ghalib Iqbal has
asked the Pakistani community in France to invest liberally in their home
country by taking advantage of opportunities offered by the Government of
Pakistan as well as the European Union. He was addressing the flag hoisting
ceremony on the occasion of Pakistan Day in Paris. He said due to the
improvement of bilateral investment and trade environment, the efforts of the
Mission and participation of Pakistani community in France, the volume of trade
between Pakistan and France had increased by 13% in the last one year. The
members of Pakistani community, the officers and the staff of the embassy
attended the ceremony.
Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti, Member of Punjab Provincial Assembly,
also spoke on the occasion, said a message received here Wednesday.
He said that foreign remittances sent home by the Pakistani
expatriates had been providing much needed relief to the foreign exchange
reserves at home.
He said the present government was giving high priority to protect
the rights of women and giving them equal opportunities in all walks of life.
Railways CE issues final warning to encroachers
KARACHI (APP): Chief Executive of Pakistan Railways, Muhammad
Javed Anwar Bubak has warned the encroachers to vacate the Railway lands
immediately. A Railways official said here Wednesday that Javed Anwar has
issued a `final warning’ to the encroachers in this regard. He asked them to
voluntarily demolish the houses, shops, eateries etc set up on the Railways’
land or else an action would be initiated to the remove the encroachments from
the Department’s lands. Javed Anwar also directed the Divisional Superintendent
Karachi Division, Nisar Ahmed Memon, to get cleared the Railways’ lands in
Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tando Adam from encroachments.
He also called for concerted efforts for strengthening the
Pakistan Railways.
Rice farmers receive training to reduce cost of production
ISLAMABAD (APP): The rice farmers of district Sheikhupura were
re-capacitated on latest technique of rice cultivation in a bid to increase per
acre yield and reduce cost of production. A capacity building workshop, in this
regard was held in Sheikhupura which was conducted by Rice Partners Pvt Ltd.(RPL)
in collaboration with Intercoopration. More than 35 farmers were capacitated on
precision laser leveling and water productivity. Rice Experts from Pakistan
Agricultural and Research Council (PARC) and District Agriculture Departments
gave their technical lectures to address the real problems of the rice farmers
with small land holding of the district, said a statement received here
Wednesday.
On the occasion Project Manager RPL (WAPRO), Zafar Iqbal said that
this was the time to support poor rice farmers to reduce their cost of
production and increase yield of rice by adopting conservation
agricultural techniques like Precision Land Leveling, water
saving,
field tubes and direct seeding of rice (DSR).
He said through this training workshop, farmers will be able to
contribute more in national economy.
Suraj Vaidya felicitated on becoming SAARC CCI president
Lahore (Staff Reporter): Suraj Vaidya was appointed as SAARC CCI
President for two years (2016-17) on Wednesday. An old member of the SAARC CCI,
Vaidya formerly remained SAARC Tourism Council chairman. During the period, he
worked assiduously to promote South Asia as an attractive tourist destination.
Prior to this appointment, Vaidya served as SAARC CCI as Acting President in
2015. SAARC CCI Vice President Iftikhar Malik expressed confidence that the
private sector of South Asia under Vaidya’s guidance would achieve new
milestones. He said Vaidya, who has already been the president of Federation of
Nepalese Chambers, had experience, leadership qualities and the understanding of
the challenges that lay ahead.
Malik further said that SAARC CCI’s vision was enshrined in a
six-point agenda, which included greater investments, building industrial
parks, promotion of Youth Angels and development of Smart Green Villages.
“With fresh and new ideas, with vibrant and dynamic energy, the
SAARC CCI team would dedicate their next two years to the betterment of South
Asia,” Malik hoped.
He said the chamber needed an experienced and committed individual
in that position, and the secretariat was ready to provide all the support for
fulfilling the vision of the incoming president
Trade associations hail strategic framework
By Farhan ZaheerPublished: March 24, 2016
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Government envisaged Pakistan’s exports to reach $35 billion by
the end of fiscal year 2018. PHOTO: FILE
Government envisaged Pakistan’s exports to reach $35 billion by
the end of fiscal year 2018. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Reacting to the ambitious target set by the government in
the medium-term trade policy, exporters said that while the intention is
laudable, it would take a lot on part of the authorities to achieve their aim.
The government announced the Strategic Trade Policy Framework on
Tuesday, envisaging Pakistan’s exports to reach $35 billion by the end of
fiscal year 2018, an increase of almost 50% from the current level of around
$24 billion a year.
“The target of $35 billion by 2018 does not look realistic to me.
At a time when our exports are declining, the most optimistic target is $30
billion,” commented Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) Central Chairman Gulzar
Firoz.
Firoz, however, said that the new trade policy will help arrest
the decline of exports.
He advised the government to immediately announce the
implementation of the zero-rated regime for the five export-oriented sectors
from April 1, 2016 instead of July 1, 2016.
The trade policy is designed to significantly increase exports of
leather, pharmaceutical products, fisheries, surgical instruments. Moreover, it
will incentivise businessmen in exporting fans, home appliances, rice, meat and
meat products, cutlery, sports goods among others.
“The rice sector is facing a tough time in the international
market and the impact of the trade policy will take some time to increase
exports,” said Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Chaudhry
Muhammad Shafique.
The policy has also identified basmati rice as a potential export
sector.
“We are confident that rice exporters will definitely gain maximum
advantage of the incentives that are announced in the trade policy when the
international market recovers from the slump.”
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Chairman
Hamid Raza said that the trade policy is going to bring revolutionary changes
in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pharmaceutical sector is one of the sectors – along with leather,
pharmaceutical, fisheries, surgical instruments – that will get matching grants
up to a maximum of Rs5 million for specified plant and machinery to improve
product design and innovation.
“We are extremely happy to see that the government has
incorporated our suggestions in the policy,” he said, adding that the
suggestions were based on India’s successful model that has raised its
pharmaceutical exports to $25 billion – close to Pakistan’s total exports,”
PPMA chief said.
“I think 50 to 100 pharmaceutical companies will benefit from the
incentives.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2016
http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/318032064/Tk_aR5HOcK2BrUnO
PM Nawaz’s efforts to initiate trade between Pakistan, Iran termed
satisfactory
Business1 DAY AGO BY AGENCIES
Nawaz and Rouhani
Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt, on
Wednesday, lauded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for initiating serious efforts to
boost trade with Iran terming them highly satisfactory. Pakistan and Iran can
become an important trading partner for which serious efforts have been
initiated while an FTA between both brotherly countries would be an achievement
of the government, he said.
Shahid Rasheed Butt said that Pakistan should enhance electricity
imports to 1000 megawatt while start importing petroleum products to diversify
it as depending on a single source is not advisable. He said that pipeline
project is still under sanctions therefore, every option should be explored to
expedite it without which energy crisis will continue to harm the economy. Gas
import deal which was to bring a revolution in the Pakistan’s energy market is
still under sanctions, therefore, the two countries should consider inking new
energy deals, he added.
The veteran business leader said that bilateral trade which was
once one billion dollars but now Pakistan’s exports have come down to 128
million dollars despite the agreement between both countries to boost trade to
five billion dollars. Pakistani beef, rice, fruit, vegetable, sports goods and
IT services are in great demand in the neighbouring nation which needs a little
push from authorities as well as the private sector.
Pakistan should not waste any time for opening of banking channels
with Iran and improve transport infrastructure. Improved trade with Iran can
also help bailout textile sector which is paying the price for the recession in
China, cotton collapse and incompetency of semi-educated export managers, he
said. He noted that Tehran’s inclination to take part in economic corridor
project will benefit bother countries while Iranian companies will invest heavily
in Pakistan.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/03/24/business/pm-nawazs-efforts-to-initiate-trade-between-pakistan-iran-termed-satisfactory/
FPCCI lauds trade policy, demands payment of refund claims
Business2 DAYS AGO BY STAFF REPORT
FPCCI
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FPCCI) has termed the new trade policy encouraging in the prevailing
circumstances and assured support to the government in achieving export target
of $35 billion by 2018.
In a statement issued Wednesday, FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam
said that export target can be achieved if refunds to the tune of Rs 210
billion are released, tax system is simplified and uninterrupted supply of
electricity and gas is ensured.
He said the problems faced by the export sector should be resolved
so that their cost of doing business can come down to make their products
competitive in the international market.
Moreover, he said, Pakistan should explore new markets with
special focus on Iran and Afghanistan as Pakistan can export rice, beef and
other things worth $1 billion while exports to Afghanistan can be increased by
50 per cent.
Rauf Alam said that value addition should be preferred over export
of raw materials while innovation and research should also be paid special
attention.
He also called for improvement in infrastructure, skills
development, labour productivity, usage of technology coupled with market
research as diversification and sophistication of exports will pay dividends.
Meanwhile, United Business Group Secretary General Zubair Tufail
lauded the government’s move to provide Rs20 billion to exporters over a period
of three years. He said that payment of Rs 6 billion should be initiated
immediately as only three months are left in the current fiscal year.
He also demanded attention to dispute resolution, intellectual
property rights and improved tax and industrial policies which will attract
investment.
The business leader lauded the move to establish export
development councils, explore regional markets and revive dormant trade
agreements with various countries for which transport infrastructure and
security remain challenges.
Tufail also lauded decision of the government to support the SME
sector which was a longstanding demand of the business community. He also
praised the decision to contain wastage of agricultural produce in the country.
Nigeria:
Customs Bans Importation of Rice Through Land Borders
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·
Nigerian
Authorities Ban Land Border Import of Rice
·
Nigeria's
Customs Boss to Answer for Lifting Rice Ban
RELATED TOPICS
·
Food and Agriculture
·
Business
·
Nigeria
·
West Africa
(file
photo)
By
Moses Ebosele
The
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has re-introduced the restriction order on
importation of rice through land borders across the country.
A
statement issued yesterday by the NCS Public Relations Officer, Wale Adeniyi,
explained that the Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), gave the
approval for the reversal of the October 2015 policy which allowed rice imports
through the land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.
According
to Adeniyi, at a review session held with comptrollers of border commands and
Federal
Operation Units (FOU) held in Abuja, the Service noted that dwindling revenue
from rice imports through the land borders do not match the volume of rice
landed in neighboring ports.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201603230389.html
Customs re-imposes restriction on rice
importation through land borders
Nigeria Customs Service
(NCS) has re-introduced the restriction order on importation of rice through
land borders, which was reversed in October 2015, by the approval of Hameed
Ali, comptroller-general of Customs. According to a statement signed by Wale Adeniyi,
public relations officer, NCS, noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports
through the land borders…
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https://businessdayonline.com/2016/03/customs-re-imposes-restriction-on-rice-importation-through-land-borders/
Nigeria:
FG Bans Rice Import Through Land Borders
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Nigerian
Authorities Ban Land Border Import of Rice
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Nigeria's
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Nigeria
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By
Hamisu Muhammad and Dele Ogunyemi
Ibadan
— The Nigeria Customs Service has banned rice importation through the land
borders with effect from Friday, March 25, it was announced in Ibadan, Oyo
State capital yesterday.
The
Customs Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mr. Temitope Ogunkua, told
journalists that the ban order was given by the Comptroller-General of Customs,
retired Col. Hameed Ali, as part of measures to block the identified loopholes
in the nation's finance sector.
Meanwhile,
the federal government, as a sign of its commitment to stimulate the economy
will, in the next quarter, pump N350 billion into the system in form of capital
spending.
Ogunkua
said that the importation and payment of duty on rice through the land borders
would cease on Friday and advised all those who have their duty already paid
for the imported rice within the Oyo/Osun Area Command border entry point to
evacuate same immediately or risk the rice being seized.
Ogunkua maintained that Oyo/Osun Area Command would implement
the zero tolerance for rice import through the border to the letter.
While reiterating the determination of the area command of
the NCS to step up efforts in facilitating trade, the area controller charged
all genuine importers to continue with their business, saying that only the
economic saboteurs would have the long hand of the law to deal with.
Commenting on the revenue generation efforts of the command,
the area controller disclosed that a total of 30 detentions and 10 seizures had
so far been effected within this month (March 2016), with the Duty Paid Value
of N19, 744,965.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had explained
that the federal government planned using the 2016 budget to fast-track
economic diversification.
The minister also said efforts had been put in place to
ensure that the spending on capital projects trickled down to all Nigerians
http://allafrica.com/stories/201603230423.html
Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau
(right), with Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr.
Nababa Adamu (left), signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the Development
of Commodity Value Chains between the two states while Lagos State Governor,
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right behind) and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku
Bagudu (left behind) watch, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, March 23,
2016.
In line with the persistent calls for a paradigm shift from over
dependence on oil as the major earner of the country, the Lagos State
Government and Kebbi State on Wednesday entered into a partnership on the
establishment of a commodity value chain that will give a quantum leap to food
processing, production and distribution.
The partnership is aimed at bringing about national food
sufficiency and food security, as well as creating employment and wealth
distribution for the benefit of both states and the nation in general.
Speaking at the official signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the two states held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos
House, Ikeja, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the partnership signaled the
commencement of a new beginning of cooperation and common-sense revolution,
which is line with the change mantra of All Progressives Congress (APC) that
calls for patriotism in all facets of life.
Ambode, who said the partnership would bring an end to the era
of imported rice in the country, noted that there was no doubt about the
economic prowess of the country to produce rice locally.
“This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that two states
are collaborating to develop their agricultural potentials. We have the
economic prowess to produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone. The
reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local foodstuff and
commodities,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the fact that the future of Lagos is
partly tied to deliberate resolution on food security, and that food production
and self-sufficiency required immediate attention at policy and strategic
levels to sustain the country, hence the need for the partnership.
“Lagos State is the largest consumer of food commodities in
Nigeria by virtue of our state population. We have the market, with the
required purchasing power also. Lagos State has an estimated consumption of
over 798,000 metric tonnes of milled Rice per year which is equivalent to 15.96
million of 50kg bags, with a value of N135 billion per annum,” he said.
In addition to rice, Ambode said Lagos is presently consuming
6,000 herds of cattle daily which may increase to 8,000 in the next 5years,
adding that the bulk of vegetables produced in the country eventually end up in
the Lagos markets.
He added: “Lagos State is one of the largest producers of
poultry and thus has a large demand for maize for livestock feed production.
The State also houses most of the industrial users of wheat and sorghum; mostly
flour mills, bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers.
“Kebbi State, on the other hand, is blessed with a vast arable
land suitable for the cultivation of Rice, Wheat, Ground nut, Maize, Sorghum
and Sugar cane.
“It is an agrarian State with over 1.2 million hectares of
arable land characterised by very large floodplains, lowland swamps and gentle
slopes. In the 2014 / 2015 wet season, over 600,000 Hectares of land was
deployed for Rice cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the State.
“The people are traditionally Rice farmers with average land
holding of about 10 Hectares. Presently, Kebbi has over 50,000 metric tonnes of
paddy in store produced from the last 2 planting seasons.
“With these considerations in mind, Lagos State and Kebbi State
have decided to collaborate and exploit our areas of comparative advantage to
create value for both States. This alliance will ensure Food Security, job
creation, increase in farmers’ income and the overall improvement in the living
conditions of the residents of both states through wealth creation and poverty
reduction.
“This collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy
direction given by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the need to feed
ourselves,” Ambode stated.
The joint venture between the two states, Ambode explained, will
be implemented using a Special Purpose Vehicle known as LASKEB Agricultural
Production and Marketing Company (LAPMCO), adding that the major areas of focus
will be the development of commodity value chains with emphasis on Rice, Wheat,
Ground Nut, Onions, Maize/Sorghum and Beef.
Speaking further on the agreement, Ambode said: “The numerous
thousands of our market women and men can become key employers of labour as
distributors of ‘Ibile Rice’. We can also brand and package rice in the names
of our distributors and market women. As a State, we shall adopt our local rice
as a State dish in all ramifications.
“The special purpose vehicle will allow the entrance of private
sector investors and other states in expanding the rice mill at Imota, Ikorodu
and other locations. We have already designated the 100 hectare land at Imota
as the Agric Park in the State. Other locations in and outside the State will
be vigorously activated to fulfill our mission in record time.”
Also speaking at the event, which was attended by top government
functionaries, traditional rulers and members of the Organised Private Sector
(OPS) from both states, Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu thanked
Ambode for providing leadership and innovation that brought about the
partnership, adding that same was in line with the effort of President Buhari
and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to restructure Nigeria away from
over-dependence on oil.
Bagudu said in the world of genetically modified food, the
partnership between Lagos and Kebbi was an additional motivation to provide
certainties for the people in terms of food production and sufficiency, and
that the goal is to produce 60 to 70 percent of Nigeria’s Rice needs, and
replicate same in other food items.
He said the agreement had the broadest public acceptance in
Kebbi State, and that the people, especially farmers in the state, are
delighted to partner with Lagos, which he described as the most entrepreneurial
part of Nigeria.
He said Lagos and Kebbi have had a long history of trade, and
that the signing of the MoU was a further way of cementing the relationship
with the view to make the people to get richer.
“Lagos is the most entrepreneurial part of Nigeria. Lagos, if it
were a country on itself, is a country that other states will be going to
establish a relationship and so why not state to state. So, what we are doing
is that we are pioneering a collaboration that will bring other states on board
later and we believe that our potentials is enormous and we must have
pacesetters to start that process of joint collaboration for our collective
good,” Bagudu said
http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/23/lagos-kebbi-to-produce-nigerias-rice-needs/
Sad, sorry tale of Otukpo rice mill
F-G re-introduced restriction on rice
importation
The Nigerian government
on Tuesday re-introduced the restriction on the imports of rice through its
land border over smuggling concerns.
Mar 23, 2016
·
·
Spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS), Wale Adeniyi, said in a statement that the NCS had recorded
“dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders”.
In the first two months of the year, “a
total of 9,238 bags (of rice) were seized”, he said.
He added those who had already started
their importation processes would have a grace period ending March 25 to clear
their consignments.
Nigeria opened its border in October
2015 for rice imports. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
http://www.newsghana.com.gh/f-g-re-introduced-restriction-on-rice-importation/
Farm suicides in Punjab now claim
six
middlemen in six months
Among the dead is
54-year-old Jaspal Setia, who committed suicide four months ago. A commission
agent at Amritsar’s Bhagtanwala grain market, Setia had given a Rs 2.5 crore
advance to farmers and rice millers which he failed to recover.
3 15
·
Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba , Raakhi Jagga | Jalandhar/ludhiana | Published:March
25, 2016 12:01 am
In yet another indication of distress in the farm sector,
at least six arhtiyas — middlemen through whom the government procures wheat
and paddy from farmers — have committed suicide in Punjab in the last six
months, a Punjab Mandi Board official has said.
Among the dead is 54-year-old Jaspal Setia, who committed
suicide four months ago. A commission agent at Amritsar’s Bhagtanwala grain
market, Setia had given a Rs 2.5 crore advance to farmers and rice millers
which he failed to recover.
“He couldn’t take the stress,” said Vijay Kalra,
president of Punjab’s Federation of Arhtiya Association.
The arhtiya’s job includes getting grain unloaded at the
mandis and organising the auction, mostly to state agencies. For this, they get
a commission fee — 2.5 per cent of the purchase price. They also lend to
farmers for cropping operations and to meet personal needs.
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Despite having considerable sway in Punjab’s grain trade,
the arhtiyas have been under pressure of late. The reasons range from farmers
being burdened with debt to successive crop failures and crashing prices.
While many of them have stopped lending to farmers, some
have resorted to taking the extreme step.
Ravinder Singh Cheema, vice-chairman of the Punjab Mandi
Board, estimates that 250-300 arhtiyas have committed suicide in Punjab in the
last five-six years.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/farm-suicides-in-punjab-now-claim-six-middlemen-in-six-months/#sthash.BU7z3G0F.dpuf
http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2016/03/25/sustaining-rice-plants/
5 of 66
USA Rice Daily, Thursday, March 24,
2016
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