ISLAMABAD, Feb 5 (ABC): Pakistan is stepping up efforts to expand rice exports to the Philippines and China through government-level negotiations and trade facilitation measures.
Philippines MoU under negotiation
According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, a high-level meeting took place between the minister for commerce and the Philippine ambassador to Pakistan. Rice imports from Pakistan remained the main agenda item.
Both sides are negotiating a government-to-government memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the annual export of one million tons of rice over five years. Officials expect the agreement to significantly boost Pakistan’s rice exports to the Philippines.
Pakistan has already shared a draft MoU, while the Philippines has submitted a counterdraft. Consequently, both countries aim to finalize and sign the deal on the sidelines of the second Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting scheduled for February 19–20.
The commerce secretary told the ambassador that Pakistan wants to complete the MoU during the visit of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan team. This timeline will allow the country to participate in tendering planned for February 2026.
China market access in focus
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce has engaged China at the highest diplomatic level to enhance rice exports and explore trade facilitation measures under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA).
During a detailed meeting with the Chinese ambassador on January 19, both sides reviewed progress under Phase I and Phase II of the CPFTA. Although Pakistan’s exports to China have grown steadily, officials believe further expansion remains possible.
Additional concessions proposed
To improve market access, Pakistan submitted a list of priority export items in December 2024, including rice. The government requested additional trade preferences from China to strengthen bilateral trade, according to Wealth Pakistan.
Pending new concessions, Pakistan has proposed interim facilitation measures. These include a waiver of the existing one percent import duty on Pakistani rice and the introduction of a special import quota similar to the 2019–2020 arrangement.
In addition, Pakistan has encouraged Chinese state-owned enterprises, particularly China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation, to enter long-term procurement agreements with Pakistani suppliers. Officials say these partnerships will strengthen supply chains and help reduce the bilateral trade imbalance.
Overall, the initiatives aim to expand rice exports, secure stable demand, and open new opportunities for Pakistan’s agriculture sector.