The export quota set is 400,000 tons and will be transported via land, rail, water and air. The quotas came into effect from April 11 after the decision was made the previous day by the PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
At the same day the Government Office sent a dispatch on the permission and other directions from PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) relating rice export in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, drought and saline intrusion.
The Prime Minister accepted the proposal of the MoIT submitted on April 6 to export about 800,000 tons of rice in April and May.
This export rice volume is reduced by 40 percent compared to the volume in April and May 2019. It is also 35.7 percent and 21.7 percent lower than the same period in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The PM has also requested the MoIT, MoF, MARD and the relevant agencies to implement the rice export plan in accordance with law.
They must also avoid a shortage of rice.
The MoIT must report to the Prime Minister their plans before April 25. The ministry must also build a scenario to regulate the domestic rice market and rice exports in case the COVID-19 pandemic lasts until the end of 2020, according to the PM.
PM Phuc also asked the MoF to manage the rice volume that is permitted to export according the MoIT proposal to ensure transparency.
At the same time, this ministry would coordinate with the relevant agencies to promptly purchase rice for the national food reserves as targeted this year. If it is necessary, they are able to increase rice volume for the national reserves.
Meanwhile, the MARD is requested to coordinate with provinces and centrally-run cities to boost agricultural production, ensuring enough supply for the domestic consumption and export.
Source: VNA