More rice for China
China has agreed to increase the amount of rice it will buy from Thailand over the next five years to 1 million tonnes a year, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.
Last Friday, when Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang began his three-day official visit here, China signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand, agreeing to purchase 1 million tonnes of Thai rice over the next five years.
“However, China [yesterday] citing a good relationship with Thailand, has decided to buy more rice – 1 million tonnes a year. This will be a government-to-government deal. Also, China will buy 200,000 tonnes of rubber a year. There will be other [agricultural] products that are subject to further discussion,” Yingluck said.
These purchase plans did not include dealings by the private sector, she said.
The PM made the announcement at Bangkok military airport after her return from Chiang Mai, where she met Premier Li, who visited the One Tambon One Product exhibition.
