Thailand resumes rice exports to Iraq with quality guaranteed under MOU
Almost 10 years after losing contracts with Iraqi rice importers to its competitors over quality concerns, Thailand’s Commerce Ministry will next month (December) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Iraqi government.
Thai Rice Exporters Association’s president, Chookiat Ophaswongse says that Iraqi importers are interested in buying Thai rice.
“According to the terms of the MOU, the ministry is required by Iraq to guarantee and select qualified Thai exporters to trade with Iraqi entrepreneurs to help regain their confidence,” he explained. “The country has clarified that trading with only be done through those companies guaranteed by Thai government and not through a Government-to -overnment trade between the two countries”.
“For the future bidding, Thai Rice Exporters Associations will nominate 15 to 20 member companies consisting of both new and existing exporters to Iraq to be approved by Ministry of Commerce” added Chookiat. “In 2012, Iraq imported 873,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand, which was the highest quantity we have ever achieved.”
