UNISAME URGES REAP TO LOWER MEMBERSHIP FEES

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan to reduce the membership and renewal fees to make it affordable.

The Union has pointed out that Rs 14000 plus Rs 1000 for I.T/ website maintainence is very high. Even the chambers of commerce are only taking Rs 2100 as renewal fees. More than 1000 rice units are closed and the exporters are unable to compete due to various reasons and exporters are unable to secure orders.

The Union informed the SME rice exporters that the membership of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP ) is not mandatory for rice exporters. They can export rice to global destinations without membership of REAP.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver has invited the attention of the rice exporters to the circular of the Ministry of Commerce (MINCOM) in which it reiterated that membership of REAP is not mandatory and it is up to the rice exporters if they wish they can become members or renew their membership but the condition of mandatory membership has been removed

The MINCOM has also sent a copy to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority of Pakistan (SMEDA).

Thaver however said those SME members who can afford to pay may become members or renew their memberships and participate in the activities of the association.

He emphasized the need for REAP to become proactive and take up the issues of the sector vigorously and especially the Geographical Indications, the Basmati trade mark, the high cost of production, the energy, the export bills negotiation and other issues of land at concession, marketing support and cost of packing materials

Posted in: Press Releases