Pakistan commission wants KPA to release 37,500 tons of rice held at port

The Pakistan High Commission has called on the Kenya Ports Authority and the Kenya Revenue Authority to release more than 37,500 tons of rice being withheld at the port of Mombasa.

Pakistan High Commission Commercial Counsellor Amir Mohyuddin together with Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Rafique Suleiman and Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) Chairman Eric Gitonga on Wednesday visited the port in order to resolve the issue.

Tons of rice that had been imported by REAP destined for storage at the Autoports and Portside stations is said to have stayed at the port for over one month following the closure of the two freight stations by the authorities.

“We met with the current KPA MD Ms Catherine Muturi and explained the situation we faced and we wanted to bring to her notice that REAP were genuine exporters of the rice from Pakistan. REAP approached the High commissioner for a resolution of this issue of withholding of rice at the port that was destined for storage at the Autoports and Portside stations,” Mr Mohyuddin said.

The counsellor, however, said there were genuine exporters and asked that they be considered, saying that the change in policy by the government was not because of any fault of the rice exporters.

“We appreciate the changing policy of the government of Kenya to root out corruption and illegal practices being carried out at various Container Freight Stations,” Mr Mohyuddin added.

The delegation also met with senior KRA officials at the port, where they discussed ways of resolving issues for the best interest of the two countries and also enhance bilateral trade between Kenya and Pakistan.

“Kenya Ports Authority has agreed waiving of any demurrage, storage charges, remarshalling charges of the containers stranded at the port. The KRA also agreed to facilitate a smooth running and release of cargo from the port.” Mr Mohyuddin added.

He further said that Pakistani exporters were not going to increase charges on the rice coming into the country so that the consumers continue to benefit from their rice.

“We are cognizant of the fact that Pakistan is contributing towards food security in this country by providing quality rice at affordable prices so we wanted not to pass the price to the consumers,” he said.

He noted that the government had increased the port capacity to a substantial level and was currently trying to facilitate and bring in efficiency in the clearing of cargo from the port.

Mr Mohyuddin confirmed that they were also pursuing the release and clearance of some of their cargo which are at the two CFSs after completion of the 100 per cent verification exercise that was being carried out by KPA and KRA.

He added that the trade between Kenya and Pakistan was mutual as they imported tea from Kenya as they exported rice to Kenya. “Bilateral trade between Kenya and Pakistan is more than 600 million dollars, we are equal partners in this trade,” he reiterated.

REAP Chairman Mr Suleman said the government had full authority to stop operations at the CFS but he requested that the cost of storage be waived.