Indonesia considering rice import from Pakistan

JAKARTA: Indonesia is considering importing rice from Pakistan and India, as well as from traditional suppliers Thailand and Vietnam via government-to-government deals, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said on Wednesday.

"We are exploring all possibilities. India is one of our source alternative, and also Pakistan," Mari told reporters.

She said Indonesia would import rice to maintain state procurement agency Bulog's stockpile at 1.5 million to 2.0 million tonnes, but has yet to issue the permit.

"Yes, we have decided to import more rice this year, but we have not decided on the volume and the time of import because we are still calculating it," she said.

"The important thing is we will import rice to keep Bulog's stock at 1.5-2.0 million tonnes."

She said the Indonesian government would prioritize government-to-government deals in importing rice.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011