Minister urges Philippines, Indonesia to import rice
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Thailand has called on the Philippines and Indonesia to import more rice, while Singapore is showing strong interest in investing in the Bt2-trillion infrastructure mega-project.
And in another overseas development, the International Trade Promotion Department plans to promote the fame of Thai foods at the Eiffel Tower next month.
After talks with Philippine Industry and Trade Minister Gregory Domingo, Commerce Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan said Thailand urged that country to bring in more Thai rice, after imports dropped dramatically in the past few years. “The Philippines is one of the world’s biggest importers for rice. Thailand could serve the country with a variety of rice grains,” Niwattumrong said, adding that Domingo agreed to set up a bilateral meeting on the issue.
The Philippines currently imports more Vietnamese rice than Thai because of its lower price.
Bangkok has also called on Manila to import fresh chicken, as Thailand has been certified free of bird flu for many years.
Niwattumrong also met with Indonesian Industry and Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi on rice imports. Thailand has also expressed concern over Indonesia’s limit on the number of ports that can handle fruit from Thailand as this has raised exporters’ logistical costs.
Meanwhile, Singaporean Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang has shown much interest in Thailand’s infrastructure-development project. Singapore has also said it wants to invest in alternative energy and tourist cruises to facilitate travel in Asean. For its part, Thailand has sought Singapore’s cooperation in the animation production and marketing industry.
Srirat Rastapana, director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said it would hold a Thai Food Fair at the Eiffel Tower in Paris next month. Hundreds of Thai restaurateurs and food traders will join the event.
The fair will feature demonstrations on how to prepare Thailand’s famous cuisine.
Moreover, the department plans to push for Thai restaurants that hold “Thai Select” certification to get Michelin Star recognition as well. This would help draw more consumers.
Up to now Thai Select recognition has primarily been given to restaurants overseas, but the department wants to extend the certification to more tourist destinations in the Kingdom itself.
In addition to the 1,500 restaurants overseas with Thai Select certification, about 75 in Krabi, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen and Phuket have this guarantee of quality.
