PAKISTAN RICE EXPORTS

Pakistan's rice exports will get a boost with the imminent reduction of the involvement of parastatals, following a recent merger of Rice Export Corporation and the Trading Corporation. Now, the private sector would play a much greater role. In its new dispensation, Pakistan, as a rice supplier to the global market, is likely to adopt a more aggressive stand. Almost all exports during 1998 are likely to be through the private sector. Rice exports are expected to hit an all-time-high of 1.7 million tonnes in 1998, up from 1.65 million tonnes from the previous year.