Top HK rice importers to visit Thailand

BANGKOK, October 25 (TNA) - Hong Kong's top rice importers are scheduled to visit Thailand next month for a business matching with their Thai counterparts and the signing of four rice trade agreements. Malee Chokelamlert, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, under the Ministry of Commerce, told journalists on Tuesday that her ministry will welcome the 37 top rice importers from Hong Kong during November 13-16. Malee said the Hong Kong top rice importers have purchased more than 80 per cent of Thai rice sold on the business island's market. Malee noted apart from mainly importing Hom Mali or jasmine and glutinous rice from Thailand, Hong Kong is currently interested in purchasing more Thai grains of other varieties, namely brown rice, organic rice and other healthy rice varieties to meet demand of more health-conscious younger generations. While visiting Thailand next month, the senior official revealed, the Hong Kong rice importers will also sign four memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on their purchase of newly-harvested rice with Thai rice traders, covering those on their purchase of GABA or Germinated Brown Rice and Riceberry grains, along with joining business matching activities and visiting Thai Hom Mali rice research centres. According to the senior official, the business matching between Hong Kong and Thai business operators result from her ministry's pro-active policy on steadily expanding Thai rice exporting markets through various activities, including THAIFEX and World of Food ASIA events. (TNA)