Chela Ram Kewlani, Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), praised the Pakistani government for facilitating the release of 1,300 rice containers stranded at Kenyan ports during a press conference at REAP House in Karachi.
Attended by REAP members, including Muzzammil Rauf, Asif Ali Shaikh, Salman Paracha, Muhammad Bashir, Mahesh Kumar, and Syed Badaruddin Chishti, the conference highlighted the cooperative efforts that led to this resolution.
Kewlani detailed how Pakistani rice shipments destined for Kenya missed the 6th April 2024 duty-free deadline due to rerouted shipping through the Red Sea, causing delays in reaching Mombasa port. Approximately 34,611 metric tons of rice were held up.
Recognizing the urgency, REAP’s Committee on Kenya, led by Convener Rafique Suleman, swiftly addressed the issue. Suleman traveled to Kenya, coordinating with the Pakistani High Commission in Nairobi and key Kenyan officials, including Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister H.E. Mithika Linturi and Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Ronoh.
REAP extended its gratitude to Pakistani officials, including Commerce Minister Mr. Jam Kamal, Federal Secretary Commerce Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui, and Chief Executive TDAP Zubair Motiwala, for their diplomatic efforts.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Kenya H.E. Ibrar Hussain and Commercial Counselor Ms. Adeela Younis were also commended for their instrumental roles.
The successful coordination led to the release of the containers and the announcement of a 500,000-ton import duty-free quota by the Kenyan government until 30th November 2024. This move is expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s rice exports to Kenya.
REAP also acknowledged the unwavering dedication of Mr. Rafique Suleman, who has consistently addressed challenges faced by Pakistani rice exporters in Kenya.
