Thai rice to be promoted in Hong Kong

BANGKOK, January 13 (TNA) - Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya will visit Hong Kong from January 16-17 to promote Thai rice there. The ministry's Department of Foreign Trade reported on Tuesday that the commerce minister will lead a delegation of Thai rice exporters to meet Hong Kong's secretary for commerce and economic development to discuss trade relations, especially those concerning rice trade. The official report said the Thai delegation will also meet chairs of Hong Kong's three rice importers' associations which have played important roles in importing and distributing Thai rice to local restaurants and households. The report noted that the Thai commerce minister will also witness the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) on bilateral cooperation to promote Thai rice and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Thai rice exporters and Hong Kong's rice importers. According to the official report, both pacts should involve the trade of 100,000 tons of rice and should be a good sign for an increase in market share for Thai rice in Hong Kong. On the occasion, the Ministry of Commerce will also present the Best Friend of Thai Rice Award to seven key importers of Thai rice in Hong Kong and will further promote Thai rice there, after its discussion on rice issues with 40 Hong Kong rice importers in Thailand late last year. (TNA)