Friday, January 27, 2017

27th January,2017 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine


The export industryThe export industry

January 26, 2017
Print : Newspost
Rice production in Pakistan holds an important position in agriculture and the national economy. The country is the world’s 4th largest producer of rice. It is the second largest export commodity after textile placing Pakistan in the top five rice exporting countries of the world. Rice is the third largest crop after wheat and cotton which is grown over 10 percent of the total cropped area. Rice is highly valued cash crop and it accounts for 6.7 percent in value added in agriculture and 1.6 percent in the GDP. Pakistan grows enough high quality rice to meet both domestic demand and allow for exports of around one million ton per annum.
Unfortunately, the rice export industry has been facing severe suffering since the last couple of years and unable to compete in the world market due to which its exports were in decline. The present PML-N government has taken many good measures to strengthen the country’s economy including a successful completion of the IMF program, relief packages for the textile sector and the Kisan package for the agriculture sector. In the same way, the government should make some arrangements to enhance rice exports. The export of rice will not only bring more foreign exchange into the country but the domestic rice industry will also overcome the crisis.
Engr Mansoor Ahmed
Faisalabad


UNISAME URGES IPO FOR FAST TRACK PROCESS FOR GI & TM
The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) expressed concern on  slow progress of the Geographical Indications (GI) and also Basmati rice trade mark (TM) ownership and urged the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) to expedite matters to enable the rice sector to enjoy the benefits of the GI and TM.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver requested Ayesha Makhdoom executive director IPO to update the house on the progress of the draft GI law and the TM issue of basmati rice at the session held by IPO on 25th January 2017 at a local hotel at Karachi.
Thaver congratulated the IPO for completing the  IPO strategy 2017-2021 for TM, copyrights, design, patents and GI and urged the IPO to ensure infrstructure and perfect set up for its implementation.
He said the draft GI law prepared by IPO and experts needs to be taken to the level of law and infact become law otherwise it will just remain a document.Regarding basmati trade mark the IPO needs to take steps to give the ownership to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) as it belongs to all stakeholders from the growers, processors, exporters and domestic merchants as well.
He emphasized the need to include all stakeholders in deliberations and at the same time requested the stakeholders to participate proactively in all deliberations.
Regarding counterfeits and fake copies which are prevalent in the markets he complained that unfortunately there are second copies and fake goods available of several leading brands and even those manufactured by SMEs.
He explained that it is for the bonafide owners of TMs and copyrights to protect their rights by taking legal action against infringements. There is a wrong conception that the TM registry and IPO will initiate action. It is essential that a complaint is made and simultaneously legal action is taken
UNISAME