Karachi, November 24, 2025 – The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has welcomed the federal government’s decision to suspend the Export Development Surcharge, calling it a timely relief for the country’s export sector.
The announcement came after a high-level meeting of the Export Development Fund (EDF), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and attended by REAP leadership, including the Chairman and Senior Vice Chairman.
According to REAP Secretary General Kashif-Ur-Rehman, the Prime Minister accepted the industry’s request to halt the surcharge in order to support exporters during a challenging economic period. He noted that the move is fully aligned with the government’s Uraan Pakistan initiative, which aims to accelerate export growth and strengthen Pakistan’s global trade footprint. “This decision is a significant step toward enhancing the competitiveness of our export sector,” Rehman said, adding that exporters deeply appreciate the government’s proactive approach.
REAP Senior Vice Chairman Javed Jilani also lauded the decision, describing it as an encouraging development for the rice industry. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Food, and the Minister of Commerce for addressing a long-standing concern of exporters. Jilani highlighted that rice exporters have been navigating a difficult situation, with international market prices declining while domestic prices remain high due to strong demand from the local feed industry.
Industry stakeholders believe that the suspension of the surcharge will provide much-needed breathing space for exporters and help them stay competitive in global markets, especially at a time when margins are tightening.