Kenya Government’s Support for Container Release Applauded by REAP
Published on: June 12, 2024.
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Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Thanks Government for Release of Rice Containers in Kenya
The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) expressed its gratitude to the government of Pakistan for successfully releasing rice containers in Kenya. The announcement was made by Chela Ram Kewlani, the Chairperson of REAP, during a press conference held at the REAP House in Karachi. Kewlani, along with members of the managing committee and senior leaders, shared this positive development with the media.
According to Kewlani, Pakistani rice exporters had sent a shipment of Pakistani rice to Kenya. However, due to the recent situation in the Red Sea, shipping companies had to take a detour to Kenya. As a result, the delivery of the rice containers to the Mombasa port in Kenya took longer than expected. The deadline for duty-free rice in Kenya was April 6, 2024.
Approximately 1,300 containers of rice, weighing a total of 34,611 metric tonnes, were stuck at Kenyan ports. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, REAP took prompt action. Rafique Suleman, the Convener of REAP’s Committee on Kenya, was sent to Kenya to resolve the matter. With the assistance of the Pakistan High Commission in Nairobi, Suleman coordinated with Kenyan government officials, including HE Mithika Linturi from the agriculture and livestock development, and Dr. Paul Ronoh, the principal secretary of the state department for agriculture. Their collective efforts led to the successful release of the rice containers.
REAP expressed its appreciation to several key individuals and organizations for their support throughout the process. This includes Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, Federal Secretary Commerce Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui and his team at Mincom, Chief Executive of the TDAP Zubair Motiwala and his team, Ambassador of Pakistan in Kenya Ibrar Hussain, and Commercial Counsellor at the Pakistan High Commission, Nairobi, Ms. Adeela Younis. Their excellent coordination and diplomatic influence played a crucial role in securing the release of the rice containers.
The Kenyan government has now granted permission for the release of the containers and extended the duty-free deadline until November 30, 2024. Additionally, Kenya has agreed to import a maximum of 500,000 tonnes of rice within this timeframe. This decision is expected to boost rice exports from Pakistan to Kenya, providing significant benefits to the rice industry in both countries.
