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The Commerce Ministry has set the export target of Thai rice at 10 million tonnes this year, of which one million will be sold government to government and the rest exported by private exporters, according to Minister Apiradi Tantraporn.
For the G-to-G deals, the ministry will export 900,000 tonnes of rice to China after already shipping 100,000 tonnes, with both figure coming under the existing deal.
It will try to secure a new contract to sell one million tonnes of rice to China under the memorandum of understanding signed via a Thailand-China agricultural collaboration.
The ministry plans to support the private sector in exporting nine million tonnes, of which 5.19 million is targeted for Africa, 2.22 million for Asia, 6.3 million for the US and Canada, 390,000 for Europe, 360,000 for the Middle East and 210,000 for Oceania.
The ministry has boosted the image of Thai rice and stimulated demand for the product in several markets, such as Hong Kong, where it invited importers to inspect the rice production process in Thailand. 
It will also hold a meeting between Thai and Hong Kong importers to conduct joint marketing activities.
The ministry is promoting Thai rice in some China provinces and will discuss with related state agencies in Japan the opportunity to further expand exports there.
In Europe is focusing on promoting the rice at expo events there.
In the US and Canada, the ministry will organise delegations to travel to the countries to promote rice in key areas such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto. 
It will also explore export opportunities in Cuba and Mexico and study the possibility of setting up a rice warehouse in Benin, West Africa.

THAI GSP EXPORTS UP BY 11% LAST YEAR

Thailand exports under the generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) surged 11 per cent last year to US$4.45 billion (Bt155.6 billion), according to the Department of Foreign Trade.
This figure was 63.76 per cent of the $6.982-billion total value of items entitled to enjoy GSP benefits.
Thai exports to the US under the GSP scheme surged 11.61 per cent to $3.961 billion, while in Switzerland they rose 14.38 per cent to $310.14 million.
In Japan exports rose 6.55 per cent to $17.56 million, but to Norway the dropped 16.04 per cent to $20.84 million.
Last week the department reported that the value of exports under Thailand’s free-trade agreements last year exceeded $52 billion, up 3.82 per cent on 2015. This figure was 56.47 per cent of the $92.907-billion total value of items entitled to enjoy FTA benefits.
The value of Thai exports under the Asean FTA last year was $21.498 billion.

CHINA TOURIST TAX REFUND EXPANDED

BEIJING –A tax refund scheme for overseas visitors has been expanded to the central Chinese province of Henan to boost inbound tourism and consumption.
Overseas visitors began enjoying value-added tax (VAT) rebates in Henan from March 1, the Ministry of Finance said.
China piloted the programme in Hainan province in 2011 and decided in 2015 to expand it.
Several cities and provinces, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, have been included in the programme.
Overseas visitors who have lived on the mainland for no more than 183 days are eligible for an 11 per cent VAT rebate on consumer goods purchased at designated department stores.
The minimum purchase is 500 yuan (Bt2,553) in any one store in a day. The refund is valid when the purchase is made within 90 days before departure and the products remain unused upon departure. – Xinhua