The Azerbaijani government's decision to exempt rice imports from Pakistan of customs duty can increase the export of Pakistani rice to Azerbaijan tenfold, Khurram Javaid Bhatti, President of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Chamber of Economic Cooperation (PAKAZCHAM), told Report at an event held within the Pakistan Rice Exporters Association's business mission to Azerbaijan.
"The government's decision will increase the trade turnover of the two countries. Such an event was also held in March of this year. After today's event, there will be bilateral meetings, which will create an opportunity for the parties to sign contracts and reach an agreement," he said.
"Pakistan's rice exporters should consider not only the Azerbaijani market but also the markets of Central Asian countries, which have a population of 300 million. We tell them to see Azerbaijan as a hub. Pakistan is about to sign a Preferential Trade Agreement with Azerbaijan and other countries. This agreement will help Pakistani exporters to send rice from Azerbaijan to other countries. The target is not only the Azerbaijani market but also other markets in the region," Khurram Javaid Bhatti noted.