Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Urged to File Revised Application with Geographical Indications Registry for Inclusion of Bonafide Basmati Growing Areas

Karachi, January 08, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to jointly file an application with the Geographical Indications (GI) registry in Pakistan for the inclusion of areas excluded in the GI for basmati rice.

President UNISAME said it is very important for TDAP and REAP to act in good time and seek an amendment in the GI of basmati rice in the interest of rice farmers, processors and exporters as otherwise basmati grown in many areas of Pakistan will be devoid of inclusion in the GI of basmati and will not be able to call their basmati rice as basmati rice. This will be a big loss to many stakeholders of basmati rice.

Thaver said in India the Madhya Pradesh farmers have filed an application for inclusion and have challenged their agricultural authority for excluding them in the original application and have now provided evidence of growing basmati with export figures and volume proof.

Likewise he said the areas in Pakistan left out can be included provided the TDAP and REAP act fast and seek revision in good time.

Thaver said he is surprised that TDAP and REAP are not working in this direction and are not comprehending the loss it will cause to the basmati stakeholders in times to come.

Haji Abdul Majeed ex chairman REAP said unfortunately the GI law drafted is lying with the ministry of commerce (MOC) since 1997 and in the meeting at Bali in Indonesia the government official was not present to advocate the case as he was busy to get himself elected as secretary of SARCC and was lobbying for the post and the World Trade Organization (WTO) approved the matter in favour of India and USA. The European Union (EU) approved Pussa 1121 of India as basmati.

Today India has captured the Iranian and Saudi Arabian market and have also developed a new variety of Pussa 1159 which gives more yield per acre and matures in 115 days instead of 1121 which takes 145 days to get ready for harvest.

Thaver said we need to do our homework and not let important matters like GI, trademarks, strategy and policy decisions slip out of our hands in these times of competition

For more information, Contact:
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME)
75/1 3rd Commercial Street,
Phase IV, D.H.A., Karachi, Pakistan
Phones: + 92 35884225 and 6
Cell: + 92 300 8245307 and + 92 321 8245307
Fax: + 92 35380642
Email: unisame@gmail.com