IPO & STAKEHOLDERS TO COMMEMORATE WORD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
DAY
The Union of Small and Medium
Enterprises (UNISAME) lauded the efforts of the Intellectual Property
Organization (IPO), the Intellectual Property Association of Pakistan (IPAP)
and the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for arranging a
meeting on 2nd May 2017 at FPCCI to commemorate the World Intellectual Property
Day 2017 and to create awareness about the rights under the IP laws.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver
said the WIP day is a yearly celebration to highlight the role of the IP rights
role in stimulating innovation and creativity and protection of the rights.
This event is established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPDO)
to raise awareness of how patents, copyrights, trademarks and designs impact on
daily lives and the inventors needs to be protected.
Thaver said the IPO needs to
expedite the Geographical Indication (GI) law to boost the exports of our GI
items namely basmati rice, dandicut red chillies, Kasuri methi, Multani Halwa,
Sindhri mangoes and also Ajrak, Khusa and other items which fall under the GI
perview by virtue of their exclusiveness related to the GI and their global
reputation and popularity.
It is pertinent to note that the
SMEs play an important role in the value addition of the GI goods and in
maintaining their benchmark.
He requested Mahmood Moulvi to speak
on behalf of the big and the small basmati rice stakeholders at the event as by
virtue of his position as the chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan (REAP) he is in a position to urge the IPO to expedite the GI law to
protect our exports of basmati rice and the basmati tag of Pakistani basmati
rice undoubtedly the best rice in the world.
The Union chief reiterated that our
Pakistani basmati rice is more aromatic, elongates when cooked, it looks good
and is more tasty than Indian basmati rice. especially our super basmati rice
is known as the banquet rice in royal circles.
Despite its virtues and GI
qualifications due to its characteristics and features the Indians have
restricted our basmati GI to a limited area unfairly but once we have our GI
law in place we do not need to go by their partial biased identifications and we
can have our GI on merit based on the characteristics and features real basmati
rice deserves.
Farmers told to stop drying crops on roads
Despite warning from the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), some residents who live near national and village roads still dry their
palay or corn crops on the highway.This harvest season, drying palay and corn
along the highway is a common sight in Ilocos province and its neighboring
provinces of Ilocos Sur, Cagayan and Isabela.In the absence of communal solar
dryers, some farmers take advantage of the weather to dry their crops along the
road.
According to farmers, it is more practical to dry their crops on
public roads and sell it right away to passing traders once the crops are dried
up.To avoid road accidents, DPWH officials has reiterated to farmers and traders
that they should refrain from drying palay or corn along the highway.The DPWH
has widened a number of major arterial roads nationwide to facilitate the
smooth flow of traffic and not to be used as solar dryers for agricultural
crops.
For humanitarian reasons, drying of palay or corn during the
harvest season has been allowed in previous years, said District Engineer
Mathias Malenab of the Ilocos Norte Engineering District II, but such practice
is now being discouraged as it poses danger to motorists.In some parts of the
province, farmers and traders even put on barricades on the highways to protect
their palay or corn from being overrun by passing vehicles. (PNA)
http://www.foodevolution.com.ph/2017/04/farmers-told-to-stop-drying-crops-on-roads/
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Week of Meetings Reinforces Relationship Between U.S. and
Mexican Rice Industries
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- A delegation of U.S. rice industry
leaders has wrapped up a series of successful meetings here with all segments
of the Mexican rice industry against the backdrop of heightened tension and
uncertainty for the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
a treaty both industries adamantly support.
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US Embassy Minister Counselor
for Agricultural Affairs Lloyd Harbert (center) provides a market update
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The 12-member
USA Rice delegation, led by USA Rice Chairman Brian King and President &
CEO Betsy Ward, began the week with a briefing by U.S. Embassy officials,
followed by a meeting with the Mexican Rice Council (MRC), the most important
and influential producer and miller organization in Mexico.
Discussions centered around the impact of the Mexican government's move to drop tariffs to zero for countries with which Mexico does not currently have a free trade agreement; the need for a coordinated approach to any renegotiation or "modernizing" of NAFTA; and the current crop situation in both Mexico and the United States.
Discussions centered around the impact of the Mexican government's move to drop tariffs to zero for countries with which Mexico does not currently have a free trade agreement; the need for a coordinated approach to any renegotiation or "modernizing" of NAFTA; and the current crop situation in both Mexico and the United States.
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Meeting underway
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While most Asian
rices do not enjoy the quality, safety, or consumer acceptance that U.S. rice
does, the tariff issue is seen by both the U.S. and Mexican industries as
potentially paving the way for greater imports from Asian exporters who already
heavily subsidize their domestic rice industries.
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Brian King (center) listens to Mexican Rice Council Executive
Director Ricardo Mendoza
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The delegation heard time and again how NAFTA has helped U.S. rice compete, and how the U.S. and Mexican industries must continue to make the case with their respective governments about the benefits of NAFTA that far outweigh any disruption in trade that withdrawal or significant modernization could bring.
"Mexico takes 20 percent of all U.S. rice exports - 16 percent of all U.S. long grain rice - and that is because of NAFTA, not in spite of it," explained King. "We are grateful to have been able to meet with so many of our valued customers here and we heard them loud and clear and agree: 'NAFTA works!'"
"The direct and positive impact that NAFTA has had on U.S. rice exports and on jobs and prosperity in Mexico and the United States must be continually emphasized," said Ward. "We will be working together to preserve the benefits of NAFTA for the U.S. rice industry, as well as for our Mexican partners."
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Much to discuss
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The delegation also met with key Mexican rice millers, packers, distributors, and traders to express appreciation for the business relationships that have been developed over many years with Mexico.
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Jesus Garcia Ruiz (r.) General
Director, Alazan confers with USA Rice's Marvin Lehrer
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"Strong promotion of increased rice consumption in Mexico supports the objectives of both USA Rice and the Mexican Rice Council, and cooperation on promotion will be strengthened as a result of these meetings," said John Owen, Louisiana rice farmer and chair of the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board, who attended the meetings.
"The theme of common goals for our industries was reiterated in every meeting," said Todd Burich, chair of the USA Rice Trade Policy Subcommittee for Latin America. "We accomplished a great deal here this week and I think we all head home with a greater appreciation for just how interdependent we are, how committed to free and open trade between our countries we are, and how we will work with our respective governments to effectively convey those truths."
Visiting the Central Market
|
Agriculture ministry to create 80,000 hectares of new rice fields
Jakarta | Fri, April 28, 2017 |
07:00 am
Farmers plant
rice in Jatiluwih, Tabanan, Bali. (JP/Agung Parameswara )
The
Agriculture Ministry has expressed its optimism that it is able to create some
80,000
hectares of new rice fields this year as targeted by the government
as part of the country’s food security program.The Ministry’s agricultural infrastructure director general Pending Dadih Permana said the new rice fields would be created outside Java.
“Many plots of land have not been developed [by the owners]. We will help them convert the land into rice fields. We will prioritize owners who are ready to cultivate their land,” said Pending during a hearing with members of the House of Representatives’ Commission IV overseeing agriculture affairs.
Last year, the ministry created 129, 096 hectares of new rice fields in 27 provinces, slightly lower than the target of 132,167 hectares.
Those rice fields were created in West Kalimantan (16,905 hectares), Central Kalimantan (16,550 hectares), Lampung (11,874 hectares), West Nusa Tenggara (11,537 hectares) and South Sumatra (11.475 hectares).
Before the rice fields are created, initial work, including investigations and design surveys, will be carried out in the areas to be used.
Additional work includes the flattening of land and the construction of rice field paths, as well as the development of roads and irrigation infrastructure.
Rice field construction has also required the involvement of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel. (bbn)
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/04/28/agriculture-ministry-to-create-80000-hectares-of-new-rice-fields.html
Customs impound 377 bags of
imported rice
By NAN | 28 April 2017 | 6:35 pm
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) has impounded a trailer carrying 377 bags of imported rice concealed among some local goods.
The command’s Comptroller, Mr Abutu Onaja, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Friday.
He said the vehicle was intercepted near Dutse in Jigawa on Thursday, April 27.
“My officers, somewhere close to Dutse town, intercepted a trailer carrying 377 bags of foreign rice covered with Nigerian goods including furniture, bags of dates, Bua sugar and used tyres.
He said the seized foreign rice had N4.1 million total duty value, while the value of the other local items were yet to be ascertained.
Onaja said his men were not able to make any arrest as the suspects abandoned the vehicle on sighting customs officers.
According to him, the area command donated 4, 220 bags of seized rice to Internally Displaced Persons (IPDs) in 2016.
“Our warehouse is currently filled up with rice and other items seized by the Command because we have no fewer than 6, 143 bags of rice in the warehouse at the moment”.
He said said the command would continue to discharge its responsibilities with a view to checking smuggling.
He, however, advised those who engaged in smuggling to desist from the illegal act or be prepared to face the wrath of the law
https://guardian.ng/news/customs-impound-377-bags-of-imported-rice/
Agriculture
ministry to create 80,000 hectares of new rice fields
News Desk-The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
| Fri, April 28, 2017 | 07:00 am
Farmers
plant rice in Jatiluwih, Tabanan, Bali. (JP/Agung Parameswara )
The Agriculture
Ministry has expressed its optimism that it is able to create some 80,000
hectares of new rice fields this year as targeted by the government as part of
the country’s food security program.The Ministry’s agricultural infrastructure
director general Pending Dadih Permana said the new rice fields would be
created outside Java.
“Many plots of
land have not been developed [by the owners]. We will help them convert the
land into rice fields. We will prioritize owners who are ready to cultivate
their land,” said Pending during a hearing with members of the House of
Representatives’ Commission IV overseeing agriculture affairs.
Last year, the
ministry created 129, 096 hectares of new rice fields in 27 provinces, slightly
lower than the target of 132,167 hectares.
Those rice
fields were created in West Kalimantan (16,905 hectares), Central Kalimantan
(16,550 hectares), Lampung (11,874 hectares), West Nusa Tenggara (11,537
hectares) and South Sumatra (11.475 hectares).
Before the rice
fields are created, initial work, including investigations and design surveys,
will be carried out in the areas to be used.Additional work includes the
flattening of land and the construction of rice field paths, as well as the
development of roads and irrigation infrastructure.Rice field construction has
also required the involvement of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel. (bbn)
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/04/28/agriculture-ministry-to-create-80000-hectares-of-new-rice-fields.html
Export Summary-Iran buys rice, Philippines buys
feed wheat
Reuters | Apr 29, 2017, 03.00 AM
IST
RICE PURCHASE: Iran's state grains buyer GTC and Iranian private buyers together bought about 120,000-160,000 tonnes of rice sourced from Thailand this week, European traders said on Friday.
WHEAT PURCHASE: A group of importers in the Philippines has issued an international tender to purchase up to 55,000 tonnes of feed wheat, European traders said on Friday. Tender deadline is May 2 they said. The wheat was sought for July shipment.
PALM KERNEL, COPRA MEAL PURCHASE: South Korea's largest feedmaker Nonghyup Feed Inc. (NOFI) has purchased about 24,000 tonnes of palm kernel expeller meal and around 6,500 tonnes of copra meal in a tender, European traders said on Friday.
PENDING TENDERS:
WHEAT TENDER: Iraq on Tuesday issued an international tender to buy at least 50,000 tonnes of wheat from the United States, Canada or Australia, traders said. The tender from Iraq's state grains buyer will close on May 7 and offers must remain valid until May 11, they said.
WHEAT AND CORN TENDER UPDATE: A Libyan state grain buying agency again delayed the offer deadline in an international tender to purchase 100,000 tonnes of milling wheat, 50,000 tonnes of durum wheat and 75,000 tonnes of yellow corn, this time until May 9, European traders said. The tenders were originally issued in February but have been repeatedly postponed. Shipment of the grains was originally sought in April and May. (Compiled by Michael Hirtzer in Chicago)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/export-summary-iran-buys-rice-philippines-buys-feed-wheat/articleshow/58425679.cms?from=mdr
Rice prices rise
in India on stronger rupee; stable in Thailand, Vietnam
India is world's
biggest rice exporter
Reuters
| Mumbai
| Bangkok | Hanoi April 27, 2017 Last Updated
at 20:04 IST
Scientists
discover green rice in ChattisgarhRice prices climb
on lower rabi acreageBasmati rice
producer KRBL builds furfuryl alcohol plant in PunjabCurrency crisis in
Iran hits India's basmati rice exportsRice scrips gain
as China opens market. Rice prices in India rose on a stronger rupee, while
markets in Thailand and Vietnam remained quiet, traders said on Thursday.
In
India, the world's biggest rice exporter, prices for 5-percent broken parboiled
rice rose by $3 to $387-$392 a tonne this week on an appreciation in the rupee
and a rise in paddy prices in the local market.
The
rupee has risen 6 percent so far in 2017 and is trading near its highest level
in 21 months, trimming returns for exporters.
The
strengthening rupee is also pushing up prices in dollar terms, making Indian
supplies less competitive, said a rice exporter based in Kakinada in Andhra
Pradesh.
Local
paddy prices were firm on thinner supply."Paddy supply from winter crops
is lower than anticipated," said another exporter based in Kakinada.India
mainly exports non-basmati rice to African countries and premier basmati rice
to the Middle East.
Thai
benchmark 5-percent broken rice remained at $360-$375 a tonne, free-on-board
(FOB) Bangkok, in a quiet market."Prices will likely stay at this level
for a while," a trader in Bangkok said.The Thai government will open a
state auction for 1.03 million tonnes of spoiled and sub-standard rice from
state stockpiles on Friday.Vietnam's 5-percent broken rice dropped slightly to
$350 a tonne, FOB Saigon, from $350-$355 last week, with traders citing a quiet
market amid weak demand.
Rice
exports by Vietnam in the first four months of 2017 are estimated to fall 7.7
percent from the same period last year to 1.86 million tonnes, the country's
farm ministry said on Wednesday.Thailand and Vietnam are the world's second and
third biggest rice exporters.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rice-prices-rise-in-india-on-stronger-rupee-stable-in-thailand-vietnam-117042700835_1.html