UNISAME URGES IPOP TO GIVE GI TAG TO PAKISTAN BASMATI RICE

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has invited the attention of Shahid Rashid chairman of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPOP) to the very important and crucial matter of basmati geographical indications (GI) not being given the seriousness it deserves by the concerned authority and trade associations.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver has urged the chairman IPOP to immediately convene a meeting of the concerned stakeholders and sort the matter in the national interest and decide on merit.

Thaver emphasized the urgency in view of the judgement of the Indian High Court and the disappointment of the SME rice sector which is in farming, milling,processing and exporting.

He regretted that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and the Basmati Growers Association (BGA) are apparently not on the same page and not united in their approach and this may jeopardize matters.

The union has requested the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to hold meetings and discussions on this crucial issue affecting the SME rice sector and bring the applicants on the same page and take up the matter in right earnest with the IPOP on top priority basis.

He stated with all emphasis at his command that basmati is grown in Pakistan in the geographically indicated areas and has inherent characteristics and features and is undoubtedly basmati rice.

In fact Pakistan is the only country which grows super basmati rice which has aroma, elongates on cooking, it is tasty and has superb cooking ability and is reputed the world over.

He urged the chairman IPOP to personally look into the matter as it is of prime importance and the future of the growers, millers, processor and exporters is threatened by the adverse remarks of the judiciary. The IPOP needs to declare immediately that Pakistan has the GI tag for its basmati grown in the specific regions of Pakistan and enjoys the reputation by virtue of its characteristics and features.

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