KARACHI – Philippines has allowed the private sector to import almost 163,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice as unpredictable weather has forced world food authorities of tightening staples’ supplies. The Pakistani embassy in Manila has suggested Islamabad to approach the foreign country to tap the opportunity of getting more market share in the world’s top rice importing country.
Countries like Thailand, China, India and Australia would be exporting a large quantity of rice after the fresh move. Pakistan, possessing the world’s best quality rice could grab a greater share in Philippine markets; sources told Pakistan Today on Monday.
Through a letter sent to the Ministry of Commerce on February 8, 2011, Pakistani embassy in Manila has stated that the foreign country has allowed the private sector to import up to 163,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice as world food authorities warned of tightening supplies of staples.
Referring to official statements of the National Food Authority (NFA) of Philippine, the letter stated that the authority was opening import of 163,000MT of rice, under the country specific quota program (CSQ), to commercial rice traders including farmers’ organisations and cooperatives.
Under the CSQ mandated by the World Trade Organization, milled rice would be sourced from Thailand, China, India, and Australia initially. The private sector would be allowed to import as much as 98,000MT of rice from Thailand; 25,000MT from China; 25,000MT from India; and 15,000MT from Australia, it said.
“A maximum volume of 5,000MT can be allocated for 2011. However, all rice import, under this programme, is subject to payment of 40 percent duties and tariffs,” the letter informed, saying that the government would decide on the amount of rice to be imported in this month.
“The NFA council is still reviewing the figures. Council members are extra careful because of findings that there was excessive import of rice (in recent years),” it said. It added that the foreign country was monitoring the price of rice worldwide.
While informing the concerned authorities of Pakistan including the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, the embassy suggested immediate steps to avail a market share in Philippine
