The government has agreed to provide a relief package of Rs 630 million to flood-hit rice millers in Sindh and Balochistan to compensate their losses of 2010.

This was stated by the president of newly formed Sindh Balochistan Rice Millers and Traders Association (SBRMTA) Abdul Aziz Abro while talking to media at Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) here Tuesday.

He said that the government has agreed to write off Rs 310 million loans outstanding against the rice mills while State Bank agreed to charge a concessionary mark up of 8 percent of the remaining amount of loan instead of market rate.

He said that floods of 2010 had badly damaged rice mills and they were not able to function for quite a long time, and therefore, were not in a position to pay their dues to banks.

Abro said that rice millers will continue to enjoy this concessionary mark up of 8 percent till 2015 on their loans.

He underlined the need for a closer cooperation and coordination between SBRMTA and REAP in the interest of rice exports.

Other millers also called for representation in the certification of seeds to ensure that quality seeds are provided to growers for a better crop and reduction of broken percentage in rice.

Similarly, millers and REAP members in the registration trial and inspection of rice milling machines and implements so that quality machines are imported and manufactured in the country.

Earlier, vice chairman REAP Safdar Mehkari, former chairman Rahim Janoo also spoke on the occasion and expressed fear that rice exports can fall from $ 2 billion mark this year as India has allowed export of rice which is cheaper in price than Pakistani rice.