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Wednesday May 7, 10:07 AM
Thailand Bids to Host Meeting of Rice Exporting CountriesBANGKOK, May 7 - Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, said Tuesday it is ready to host a meeting of rice exporting countries as worries on global food crisis have intensified. Envoys from six member countries of the Council on Rice Trade Cooperation (CRTC) including Vietnam, Pakistan, India, China, Myanmar and Thailand met Tuesday with Thai
The diplomats agreed to inform all council members about a formal meeting in the coming months and that Thailand is ready to host the meeting. Major issues to be discussed include improving rice quality, production and an exchange of rice farming know-how among the members. The envoys also agreed that such a meeting should be held at least once a year. Mr. Noppadon told journalists that Tuesday's meeting did not discuss on a plan to set up a rice cartel group known as the Organisation of Rice Exporting Countries, proposed recently by Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to his Myanmar counterpart. The idea of establishing a rice cartel has drawn objections from rice importing countries on fears that producers would dictate rice prices and supply in the world market. Mr. Noppadon said Thailand will not push to form such a group as it could deteriorate the world food supply situation. He said the group could be set up after rice quality has improved and the exact annual production by producing countries is known. (TNA-OANA)
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