Thailand plans to cooperate with four other rice-producing countries in Asean on developing quality and a trading system to stabilise prices in the world market.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom said he would soon discuss with representatives in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam strengthening cooperation on rice production and trading in the region.

"As this region is the world's rice supplier, it should tighten cooperation to promote the growth of the rice industry," he said.

Boonsong plans to fly to Vietnam soon to seek closer rice-trade cooperation, as that country is the world's second-largest rice exporter after Thailand. After that he will seek bilateral talks with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar before setting up a meeting with all Asean rice producers.

According to the plan, Thailand will negotiate the elimination of price-cutting practices to promote stable rice prices. Boonsong said that strengthened cooperation among these countries would increase their bargaining power. It would also promote better incomes for farmers in the region.

The ministry expects to come up with concrete proposals for cooperation in the rice industry with other Asean countries next month.

Yanyong Phuangrach, permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry, said the upcoming Asean Economic Community would encourage members of the bloc to tighten their cooperation in all sectors, including rice farming and trading.

Thailand and the other four countries could divide their target market to eliminate price wars. The entire rice industry in Asean could be cooperatively developed, from farming to trading.

According to the ministry's vision, Thailand could also be a centre for the Asean rice trade by facilitating exports. The country will not import other Asean members' rice to the Kingdom, but will set up polishing plants in border provinces.

Source: The Nation