Thailand to set up commercial rice institute

BANGKOK, June 14 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce will soon propose to the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC) on the establishment of a new rice institute for commercial activities. Permanent Secretary for Commerce Chutima Bunyapraphat told journalists on June 13 that her ministry will table the proposal before NRPC either late this month or early next month. Chutima said the proposed plan to set up the new institute came after a recent meeting with 18 private rice trading companies, during which they resolved that part of rice production in Thailand should be used in processing industry with the utilisation of high technologies and research and development (R&D) projects to enable the country to become a manufacturer and exporter of value-added rice products or "super food". Chutima noted that the private-run rice firms are prepared to invest if the products to be manufactured are clear and meet market demand. Chutima acknowledged that there are several R&D agencies on rice in Thailand, but safety tests cannot yet be conducted due to the lack of raw materials. The senior official also proposed that the Thai government step in to coordinate with relevant agencies in using innovative technologies to first produce value-added rice products, followed by cosmetics and pharmaceutical ones. According to the senior official, if NRPC gives the green light on setting up the commercial rice institute, the proposed plan will then be forwarded to the Thai Cabinet for further consideration and a decision. The senior official assessed that about 600 million baht is initially needed for the establishment of the new commercial rice insitute. (TNA)