Deputy commerce minister upbeat about rice export growth

BANGKOK, May 8 (TNA) – Thailand's Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda on Tuesday voiced confidence the country’s rice exports for this year would reach 8.5 million tonnes, saying political uncertainties would not affect total exports.

Speaking before attending the cabinet’s meeting, she said the exports in April totalled 670,000-680,000 tonnes, higher than expected at 650,000 tonnes, bringing up total exports for the first four months of this year (January-April) to 2.8 million tonnes.

So, it is expected the exports for the whole of this year would reach 8.5 million tonnes, higher than 7.4 million tonnes last year.

Mrs. Oranuj conceded imports, particularly of machinery, had declined since the private sector had slowed the production capacity expansion.

Although the imports had dropped and political uncertainties still existed, she said, it would not adversely affect the exports. Therefore, the exports would grow 12.5 per cent as targeted for this year.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry planned to organise the Thailand Rice Convention 2007 at the Impact Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani, during May 11-12.

Experts in a field of international rice, academics and representatives from the private and public sectors will participate in the forum to exchange views and open talks for the government-to-government rice deals and those among the private sector.

TNA

[attachment=47]

Thai rice exports may reach 8.8 million tonnes in 2007

BANGKOK, May 12 (TNA) - Natural calamities affecting several major rice producing countries this year will help Thailand boost its rice exports to between 8.5-8.8 million tonnes, up from 7.4 million tonnes in 2006, according to Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of the Rice Exporters Association.

Major rice producing countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, have been affected by natural disaster and they are unlikely to be able to meet their export targets, Mr. Chookiat said.

There is a good opportunity for Thailand, a key rice producer, to increase its exports to between 8.5-8.8 million tonnes in 2007.

Thailand now has over five million tonnes of rice on hand, with a production of 29 million tonnes of paddy rice, or 18.5 million tonnes of milled rice this year projected, sufficient for both domestic consumption and export, he said.

Rice traders from more than 40 countries are attending Thailand Rice Convention 2007 at Impact Muang Thong Thani in northern Bangkok, an event which is expected to help boost demand for Thai rice, he said.

The event began Friday and will end Tuesday.

TNA