Govt study to compare its G2G rice deals with China
The Commerce Ministry will conduct an in-depth investigation of rice sales both under government-to-government deals and under contracts made during the Democrat-led government.
“This will help increase understanding among the public of the G2G rice deals, in particular with China. The panel will also review the past three years to compare contracts between past and present governments,” permanent secretary Vatchari Vimooktayon said yesterday.
In the recent censure debate, the government was accused of cloaking its G2G rice contracts in confidentiality, under which 7.32 million tonnes of rice have been sold.
Vatchari said the ministry would set up a working committee and its report should be ready within 15 days.
Shipments do not need to be delayed during the probe because it will focus on documentary evidence, he said.
The ministry will also continue to hand over the documents on the G2G rice deals to the Department of Special Investigation.
The ministry reported that during the Democrat Party’s administration, rice-trading deals were also kept secret on grounds that disclosing information would affect rice prices in the world market. The past government approved sales for 5 million tonnes of rice during its term, Vatchari said.
