The UK-Pakistan Inward Trade Mission urges Karachi’s business community to utilize the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) to boost trade between the two countries. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to enhance trade cooperation, and a UK export handbook with essential information about the UK market and DCTS was introduced.

China has extended a $2 billion loan to Pakistan, providing much-needed relief for its struggling economy. The loan, initially due in March, has been extended for an additional year, according to Geo News. This comes after Pakistan secured a $3 billion standby arrangement from the IMF last summer.

According to analysts, Vietnam’s rice prices are predicted to rise in 2024 due to limited supply. Recent price drops are seen as short-term, influenced by cautious importing countries awaiting market trends. Despite this, Vietnam aims to export 8 million tons of rice this year.

High retail prices of rice in the Philippines will continue due to the dominance of imported varieties, raising concerns for farmers. With rice imports reaching a record-high and originating mainly from Vietnam, the cost of 25% broken rice imports from Thailand can reach up to P54 per kilo. However, relief is expected during the upcoming harvest season, potentially lowering prices. (Source: Zawya)

Pakistan Rice Exporters Association (PREMA) predicts a boost in rice exports for the fiscal year 2021-22, driven by increased demand in international markets and competitive pricing. Additionally, the government’s initiatives to support exporters aim to make Pakistani rice more competitive in the global market.

Maize exports have become one of Pakistan’s largest commodities, surpassing categories like surgical instruments and leather goods. In 2023, corn exports exceeded $300 million for the first time, a significant increase from less than $1 million in 2018.

A recent court ruling in Spokane, Washington sheds light on controversial past CIA interrogation techniques. Two psychologists contracted by the agency, Mitchell and Jessen, acted under direct supervision when subjecting the captured enemy combatant Abu Zubaydah to waterboarding, stress positions, and confinement in a small box. The ruling ignites a crucial debate on the ethics of torture and government contractor accountability.

India and Pakistan are locked in a dispute over the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark for basmati rice produced in their respective territories. As the main global producers and exporters, both countries have separately requested the PGI mark from the European Union, with a decision pending.

Vietnam has resorted to importing husked brown rice from India to meet the rising global demand for rice, resulting in a surge in export orders. This move has proven profitable for traders, with Vietnam now accounting for 95% of India’s total husked brown rice export.

The UAE and Pakistan have signed a MoU to enhance agricultural innovation and research, with a focus on date palm cultivation. This will promote joint cooperation and expertise sharing, allowing Pakistani farmers to increase their cultivation using innovative ideas. The UAE will provide technological support to leverage Pakistan’s immense potential in this sector, further strengthening the bilateral relationship. [Source: Gulf Today]