ID :
39125
Tue, 01/06/2009 - 16:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/39125
The shortlink copeid
POSSIBILITY OF GROWING BHASMATI RICE IN M`SIA
BY NOR FARIDAH ABD RASHID
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Bhasmati rice grown in Malaysia? It could
be a possibility with the help of Pakistan, a country renowned for the aromatic
long-grain rice, normally used to churn out delicious biryani.
The Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia Lt.Gen (Rtd) Tahir Mahmud Qazi
said a number of people from East Malaysia state of Sarawak had approached him
for assistance in growing the rice.
"They wanted seeds and expertise for the planting of Bhasmati rice," he told
Bernama in an interview here recently.
"Pakistan would like to assist Malaysia in planting the rice if possible.
I told those concerned to provide me with an analysis report and other related
matters so that it could be sent over to the Pakistani government for
consideration," he added.
If the Bhasmati rice planting programme becomes a reality, it would for sure
enhance the already strong relations between the two countries which dates back
to 1957.
"We were among the first 16 countries to recognise Malaysia at that time and
thereafter relations have become stronger," he said when asked about the current
state of bilateral relations.
"Pakistan is the third largest importer of Malaysia's palm oil and can now
consider using it to exploit the Bhasmati rice market," said the High
Commissioner.
Pakistan and India are the largest cultivators and exporters of Bhasmati
rice.
Meanwhile, stressing further on the strong bonds between the two countries,
he said that Pakistan was the first among the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) countries to have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with
Malaysia in November 2007 and which came into effect early last year.
Among others, the FTA will see the abolishment of import tariffs in
many agricultural and manufacturing products by 2012 and special incentives for
Malaysian companies in Pakistan.
Under the deal, Malaysia will eliminate import duties by 2012 on 77.3
percent of imports from Pakistan, valued at RM152.7 million in 2006.Pakistan in
turn will abolish duties on agricultural and industrial imports from
Malaysia worth RM633.7 million in 2006. (US$1=RM3.49)
Both sides have agreed to review the FTA every five years.
According to Tahir, Pakistan's current political stability and improved
security situation has also resulted in an increase in the number of Malaysian
businessmen and investors visiting the country.
The total number of business visas issued by the Pakistan High Commission in
November last year rose 27 percent to 141 compared to 103 in the same month of
2007.
"This clearly reflects the restoration of confidence among Malaysian
businessmen with regards to Pakistan's improved security situation and political
stability," Tahir said.
He also said that November last year also saw 278 visitor visas issued
compared to only 199 in the same month of 2006.
Touching on the matter of people to people relationship, Tahir said that the
existence of a Pakistani labour force of about 35,000 in Malaysia was an
excellent way of cementing it.
"This is in addition to those Pakistanis whose forefathers migrated to
Malaysia during the time of British rule and with most of them now in the
mainstream of Malaysian society.
"We also undertake various activities here to strengthen the people to
people relationship and have started a religious tourism programme. This is for
those going to Mecca for the Umrah.
"We offer them travel on Pakistan International Airline with a night's stay
in Karachi. It is for both Pakistanis and Malaysians," he added.
He also said that Pakistan saw a lot of opportunities for its workforce in
Malaysia despite the current recession.
"Our workforce is very hardy. For your information, it was the Pakistani
workforce that helped build the whole of the Middle East with the temperature at
47 degrees Celsius.
"It is only the Pathans who are able to carry out construction work under
such sizzling heat," he highlighted.
He said that he was pleased to note that Sabah had one of the largest
Pakistani communities in Malaysia as permanent residents and they were
contributing positively towards society.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Bhasmati rice grown in Malaysia? It could
be a possibility with the help of Pakistan, a country renowned for the aromatic
long-grain rice, normally used to churn out delicious biryani.
The Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia Lt.Gen (Rtd) Tahir Mahmud Qazi
said a number of people from East Malaysia state of Sarawak had approached him
for assistance in growing the rice.
"They wanted seeds and expertise for the planting of Bhasmati rice," he told
Bernama in an interview here recently.
"Pakistan would like to assist Malaysia in planting the rice if possible.
I told those concerned to provide me with an analysis report and other related
matters so that it could be sent over to the Pakistani government for
consideration," he added.
If the Bhasmati rice planting programme becomes a reality, it would for sure
enhance the already strong relations between the two countries which dates back
to 1957.
"We were among the first 16 countries to recognise Malaysia at that time and
thereafter relations have become stronger," he said when asked about the current
state of bilateral relations.
"Pakistan is the third largest importer of Malaysia's palm oil and can now
consider using it to exploit the Bhasmati rice market," said the High
Commissioner.
Pakistan and India are the largest cultivators and exporters of Bhasmati
rice.
Meanwhile, stressing further on the strong bonds between the two countries,
he said that Pakistan was the first among the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) countries to have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with
Malaysia in November 2007 and which came into effect early last year.
Among others, the FTA will see the abolishment of import tariffs in
many agricultural and manufacturing products by 2012 and special incentives for
Malaysian companies in Pakistan.
Under the deal, Malaysia will eliminate import duties by 2012 on 77.3
percent of imports from Pakistan, valued at RM152.7 million in 2006.Pakistan in
turn will abolish duties on agricultural and industrial imports from
Malaysia worth RM633.7 million in 2006. (US$1=RM3.49)
Both sides have agreed to review the FTA every five years.
According to Tahir, Pakistan's current political stability and improved
security situation has also resulted in an increase in the number of Malaysian
businessmen and investors visiting the country.
The total number of business visas issued by the Pakistan High Commission in
November last year rose 27 percent to 141 compared to 103 in the same month of
2007.
"This clearly reflects the restoration of confidence among Malaysian
businessmen with regards to Pakistan's improved security situation and political
stability," Tahir said.
He also said that November last year also saw 278 visitor visas issued
compared to only 199 in the same month of 2006.
Touching on the matter of people to people relationship, Tahir said that the
existence of a Pakistani labour force of about 35,000 in Malaysia was an
excellent way of cementing it.
"This is in addition to those Pakistanis whose forefathers migrated to
Malaysia during the time of British rule and with most of them now in the
mainstream of Malaysian society.
"We also undertake various activities here to strengthen the people to
people relationship and have started a religious tourism programme. This is for
those going to Mecca for the Umrah.
"We offer them travel on Pakistan International Airline with a night's stay
in Karachi. It is for both Pakistanis and Malaysians," he added.
He also said that Pakistan saw a lot of opportunities for its workforce in
Malaysia despite the current recession.
"Our workforce is very hardy. For your information, it was the Pakistani
workforce that helped build the whole of the Middle East with the temperature at
47 degrees Celsius.
"It is only the Pathans who are able to carry out construction work under
such sizzling heat," he highlighted.
He said that he was pleased to note that Sabah had one of the largest
Pakistani communities in Malaysia as permanent residents and they were
contributing positively towards society.
-- BERNAMA
