Basmati exports not to be affected by Indo-Pak tussle:Gupta

Kolkata, Jul 5(UNI) Export of Basmati,"Queen of rice", will not be hampered by the ongoing tussle between Indian and Pakistan over patenting of super basmati rice.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Veetee Fine Foods Ltd CEO Aayushman Gupta said, ''India's basmati exports is double the amount of Pakistan. India has no reason to worry about this matter.'' Pakistan has recently accused India of "deceiving" it by patenting the variety of Basmati rice on the basis of Geographical Indicator (GI) and intends to file a case in the Supreme Court of India.

Trading Corporation of Pakistan&Rice Export Association of Pakistan will now represent the petitioners in India.

Leaders of the rice exporters associations of both the countries would meet in New Delhi on July 18 to discuss the prospects of joint registration and a joint export strategy of it. Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) intends to resolve the difference between the two countries over Super Basmati registration based on GI.

When asked about the status of GI applied by India, he said, ''GI status will not have any impact on exports.'' India has made renewed attempts to get registered as a Geographical Indication(GI), under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act.

Speaking on the company's plans, Mr Gupta said,''We want to double our capacity to 1 lakh tonnes in the next five years and expand its marketing network in 50 countries.'' The total market size of branded rice in India is pegged at Rs 2 lakh tonnes, out of which brown rice accounts only 10 per cent.

Veetee today launched Gold Brown Basmati Rice.

UNI