The Thai delegates with the BERNAS management team
The Ministry of Commerce of Thailand is committed in its dedication to strengthening collaboration and expanding market opportunities in its rice exports to Malaysia.
Led by the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Mr. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, a delegation comprising of six members from DFT, 13 members from the Thai Rice Exporters Association, and the Office of Commercial Affairs at the Royal Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, convened to establish a robust platform for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Meeting them was Mr Zurkarnai Mohd Yusoff, Senior General Manager, Group Procurement (Commodity), Bernas along with Mr Nor Ramsuri Abdul Rahman, Senior General Manager Supply, Chain Division, Bernas and their team.
The DFT, a government agency under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, has four main responsibilities.
Firstly, it oversees and advances the trade of regulated goods like rice, tapioca, and TRQ items such as coffee, tea, coconut, and soybean. It also enforces trade controls related to DUI and items associated with Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferation.
Secondly, it promotes the utilization of trade preferences such as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Thirdly, it enacts trade remedy measures including Anti-Dumping (AD) and Countervailing Duties (CVD), as well as Safeguard Measures (SG) and Anti-Circumvention (AC). Lastly, it plays a role in facilitating
and enhancing border trade activities.
During the two-days of fruitful meeting in KL, the Thai delegation had in-depth discussion with Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), Rice wholesalers, Rice distributors and retailers in Malaysia. Many issues were discussed including the exchange of views on rice trade policy, and the current rice market situation in Malaysia, food security, challenges faced by rice importers and exporters of both countries and enhanced ties between organizations at a national level for increased collaboration in the future.
The Director- General of DFT, Mr. Ronnarong Phoolpipat commented, “Malaysia has been an important market for Thai rice, and BERNAS has played a key role in supporting the import of Thai rice over the years. We believe that by working together, understanding the criteria and strategies for sourcing rice, and addressing any challenges, we can unlock the full potential of the rice trade sector.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Worawan Wanwil, Minister Counsellor (Commercial) said, “DITP KL will continue to play a crucial role in facilitating and enhancing border trade by providing insights on Thai products, business matching services as well as consultation on any trade-related issues.
For more information on the Department of Foreign Trade initiatives and efforts in the rice trade sector, please contact: The Department of International Trade and Promotions KL, email: [email protected],
or call 03-214-24601.
Meeting in progress