On 4 December 2023, Ambassador Azhar attended the Biryani Festival and Presenting of REAP Journal Ceremony at the President’s office, Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad. The event was organised by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP). President Dr. Arif Alvi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by the REAP office bearers, diplomatic corps, exporters, traders and media persons.
In his remarks, Dr Arif Alvi has emphasised that attitudinal change in any sector of the economy could lead to its growth and development including the production and export of world-famous Pakistani indigenous Basmati rice. He said that technological and scientific research and inputs would pave the way for the latest innovations in the agriculture sector and the rice exporters should utilise all available tools to enhance their yield by supplementing the country’s exports.
Appreciating the role of REAP in boosting the country’s exports and the national economy, the president said that with organising of festivals and road shows in different countries, they were providing huge business opportunities to the local Basmati rice growers and exporters. He also suggested for exploring the organic cultivation of rice crop as the world including Pakistan were facing water scarcity. He opined that if the world resources were properly utilised, about 7 billion world’s population could be fed properly and regretted that along with the global trade, the exploitation of population and accumulation of wealth also continued.
