Pakistan’s Ambassador to Manila Dr. Imtiaz Kazi has proposed an annual allocation of 1 million metric tons of rice to the Philippines at competitive prices, the Department of Agriculture said in a news release over the holidays.
Ambassador Kazi made the suggestion to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a meeting last December 16 on bolstering agricultural trade between the two countries. He proposed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on this, a proposal warmly received by Secretary Tiu Laurel, who expressed hopes for its formalization by mid-2025.
The Ambassador noted Pakistan’s position as the Philippines’ third largest rice supplier behind Vietnam and Thailand.
His proposal would fill a quarter of Manila’s import requirements for the staple and could transform rice import dynamics and enhance food security in the Philippines.
Ambassador Kazi also sought assurance on the continuation of reduced tariffs on imported rice, and Secretary Tiu Laurel indicated the possibility of extending the tariff reduction until 2028, if warranted.
Beyond rice imports, the talks delved into diversifying agricultural trade between the two countries.
Ambassador Kazi encouraged the Philippines to tap into Pakistan’s vast Muslim market by exporting fresh produce such as mangoes, bananas, and durian.
Meanwhile, Secretary Tiu Laurel expressed a strong interest in leveraging Pakistan’s advanced agricultural expertise in irrigation, post-harvest technology, and Halal certification processes.
This dialogue underscores a shared commitment to fostering deeper agricultural collaboration, paving the way for expanded bilateral trade that could bring economic and food security benefits to both nations.
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