July 06, Colombo: Following a first round of assessment, Sri Lanka has decided to take a closer look at four international rice suppliers to meet its urgent market needs, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said today.
On the directions of President Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lanka plans to purchase 100,000 metric tons of rice to meet its needs and has decided to test rice samples of Indonesia, Myanmar and Pakistan.
Minister Bathiudeen during a discussion held on Thursday with his officials on the progress of rice procurement from abroad, said a team of technical officials including officials and food technologists from Sri Lanka are to visit these countries and test rice samples after which the government will decide on the final supplier from Colombo.
Sri Lanka is looking to buy 100,000 MT par-boiled (Nadu) and Samba from the chosen supplier.
“This will be Government to Government procurement – a speedy way to get rice for our domestic market,” the Minister said. “If necessary we are open for private sectors support in the supplier countries as well,” he added.
He disclosed that Sri Lanka is also talking for another 100,000 MT rice, from India, the details of which have to be finalized.
The Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) under the minister will be the focal point for the effort
Minister Bathiudeen last month held discussions with the envoys of Indonesia, Thailand and Pakistan on finding a supplier of rice to Sri Lanka.
Source: The ColomboPage