Aptitudes of Pakistani Rice Industry with Respect to Global Trade

Abstract

Economy of Pakistan based on agriculture, owing to the export of agricultural commodities is major source of foreign exchange earnings. Export of rice play a vital role in country’s economy. However, trade policies influenced the performance of agricultural sector, as there are some gaps of technical advancement in system, financial irregularity, as well as other constitutional regulatory factors. Pakistan is following three years Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) since 2009, to enhance the performance and efficiency of trade sector. Since last few years, trade of rice is decreasing due to traditional markets, energy crises and lack of research and development in agricultural sector. Thus, Pakistan has lost its more than 30% share from Gulf market via rice export during previous three decades. The transaction cost to imports is significantly lower than the exportation, which is negatively affecting the competitiveness of country’s exports. So, it's prior need to pay attention in the export chain sector, to approach the Europeans markets for encouraging trade performance of rice sector, as well as, improve the reforms in trade policies to compete in the international market for maximum foreign exchange revenues.

Keywords: Trade strategies, Export competition, Rice export