HCMC – Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has asked for an advance of 100,000 tons of rice from the quota for rice exports in May to help rice exporters who failed to register for April rice exports, heard attendees at a meeting chaired by Deputy PM Dung on April 20.
Many rice exporters have been facing a huge rice backlog at ports since the Government ordered a rice export suspension on March 24 over concerns about food security, the local media reported.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy PM Dung said that due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, it is necessary to carefully consider rice exports to ensure national food security and protect the interests of farmers and businesses.
The deputy prime minister also stated that the management of rice export activities has faced problems that have been widely covered by the local media, so it is vital to tackle the shortcomings quickly.
Deputy PM Dung asked the relevant ministries and departments to ensure an adequate rice supply for residents, alongside enhancing production and rice exports.
In addition, the export of glutinous rice remains unchanged, Deputy PM Dung said, adding that the Ministry of Industry and Trade should collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to review the volume, assess the market demand and monitor the volume of glutinous rice exports to avoid a shortage of this type of rice on the local market.
Earlier, some 40 rice traders successfully registered to export 400,000 tons of rice in April, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Many others have filed complaints that the opening of the online customs system for rice export registration at midnight lacked transparency, making it impossible for them to register for rice exports. Their rice inventories at ports remain high.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 20 urged the Government Inspectors to launch an inspection to verify allegations of interference in rice exports, with regard to procedures for opening the online customs system for rice export registration.
