A coordination meeting on establishing a firm international market and to export quality rice was held at Ministry of Commerce meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

In addressing the meeting Union Minister for Commerce Dr. Than Myint spoke of 83 companies exporting 1.2 million tons of rice worth US$ 381 million in fiscal year 2017-2018 and 70 companies exporting 850,000 tons of rice worth $ 288 million in fiscal year 2018-2019 by sea.

As for export from the border 155 companies exported 1.7 million tons of rice worth $ 595 million in fiscal year 2017-2018 and 103 companies exported 1.07 million tons of rice worth $ 359 million said the Union Minister.

Although rice was produced in Africa, consumption exceeds productions and the excess requirements were imported from countries in the Asia region. Myanmar was among the countries exporting rice to countries in Africa.

The highest exporter of rice in the world were India, Thailand, US, Pakistan, Viet Nam, Italy, China, Uruguay, Cambodia and Myanmar while the highest importer of rice in the world were China, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, US, United Arab Emirates, England, South Africa and Iraq.

Myanmar was a country highly dependent on agriculture production and had been facing challenges and competitions in the developing global economic system. Myanmar agriculture sector was facing numerous challenges and competitions and farmers and merchants need to strive toward seeking and establishing new and firm markets for the benefit of the country.

Rice trade sector in Myanmar was wide in scope with numerous difficulties, constraints and challenges and all of these needs to be overcome.

Rice destroyed in Cote d’Ivoire was bought under FOB system by Olam International Co., Ltd. of Singapore from three Myanmar companies to be sold to Guinea in Africa. The vessel loaded 22,000 tons of rice from Myanmar and left Yangon Port on October 2018 and reached Guinea at end December 2018. After 4,000 tons of rice was discharged, problem arises as the rice bags were said to be underweight.

Due to this problem, no country in Africa accepted the rice. The rice was rejected because rice bags supposed to weigh 50 kg only weigh 45 kg. This problem arises due to the weaknesses of the local rice purchasing and exporting company, Inspection Agency and buyers. Systematic management of the whole process is required to insure that this does not happen again. Therefore organizations, departments, rice exporting companies and inspection agencies attending the meeting were requested to provide suggestions and advices.

As everyone was striving competitively toward gaining a market, relevant departments, associations, merchants, business persons and inspection agencies’ cooperation and participation was urged for Myanmar to export quality rice and establish a firm market, said the Union Minister.

Next, Deputy Minister for Commerce U Aung Htoo said Myanmar had increased rice export up to 3.6 million tons last year.

The highest amount was exported to China and the second highest amount was exported to Africa and there weren’t any major problems. All need to participate and find a solution in order for this problem at Cote d’Ivoire from affecting the image of Myanmar rice, to have a sustainable rice export system, have correct weigh, have quality milling of rice, having appropriate system and entities in place, said the Deputy Minister.

Afterwards, on behalf of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) Myanmar Rice Federation Vice Chairman U Aung Than Oo explained about concerns and worries on Myanmar rice from local and international consumers due to the incident in Cote d’Ivoire, status of explaining to the consumers about the matter via the media, status of exporting rice by sea, status of reviewing the entire process of milling and exporting rice, systematic works conducted to ensure weigh and works conducted on affecting the image of Myanmar rice.

Meeting attendees then discussed about rice export by sea, inspection at loading onto ships, transport and storage of rice and Union Minister coordinated on the discussions and conclude the meeting after delivering a closing speech.

The meeting was attended by representatives from UMFCCI, Myanmar Rice Federation, rice exporting companies and inspection agencies, experts on rice, invited guest and officials. — MNA
(Translated by Zaw Min)